All-Electric ALIA Aircraft Takes First Flight

Bristow Norway AS, a subsidiary of Bristow Group Inc., conducted a flight of BETA Technologies' all-electric ALIA CX300 aircraft at Stavanger Airport today. This event marked the inaugural operations of Norway's Test Arena for Zero & Low Emission Aviation. The flights, carried out in collaboration with Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway (CAA Norway), represent a significant advancement towards the integration and expansion of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Norway and its neighbouring areas.

The Test Arena will include a series of evaluation flights over the upcoming months to assess potential customer routes at Avinor-owned airports throughout Norway. Initial routes will involve ALIA flying between Stavanger and Bergen airports, with the possibility of expanding the program to additional routes across Norway later this year. The aircraft will be operated by BETA-trained Bristow pilots.

The inaugural flight was executed by Bristow pilot Jeremy Degagne and Beta pilot Nate Dubie. This flight not only marked the launch of Norway's first Test Arena but also represented a significant milestone in the journey towards the commercialization of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). A BETA-trained Bristow crew will operate and maintain BETA's aircraft during the six-month regulatory sandbox evaluation project, contributing to the future delivery and integration of this technology in the region.

"As a nation wholly dependent on aviation, today as well as in the future, transitioning to a more sustainable aviation industry is a major priority for my government," said Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård. "This first flight represents a significant step on a long and complex journey. As the Test Arena demonstrates, cooperation between authorities, airports, manufacturers, operators and not least, political support is essential. The systemic approach the Test Arena facilitates is unique, and I am proud that Norway is at the forefront."

"This test flight is an important step in turning climate policy into practical solutions. If we are to succeed with the green transition, we must test, learn and build – not just plan. With this test arena, Norway is taking a leading role in the development of zero-emission aviation, while also creating new opportunities for green jobs and innovation," said Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen.

"Bristow is proud to be a part of this cutting-edge program and our participation in this test arena directly aligns with our philosophical 'crawl, walk, run' approach to developing Advanced Air Mobility for commercial operations," said Dave Stepanek, Bristow's Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer. "The information we learn through the test arena program will provide valuable operational insights that could help operators, manufacturers, and regulators better understand how best to move forward towards commercial operations."

"To be delivering ALIA to our partners at Bristow and kicking off operational testing here in Norway is a big moment for BETA," said Shawn Hall, BETA's Chief Revenue Officer. "Bristow has been with us from the start and shares our drive for progress, and Norway, with its spirit of innovation and modernization, is a perfect place to move this technology forward. Handing off the aircraft to a customer is, in part, a huge milestone, but it's also an important launchpad for all that comes next for the industry."

Norway has positioned itself as a leader in pioneering clean mobility, with electric vehicles accounting for 89% of new car registrations in 2024. This Test Arena serves to assess the advantages of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) for the region and its inhabitants, while also exploring the necessary conditions to develop an ecosystem for integrated operations. With its unique design that optimizes for payload, range, and IFR capabilities, ALIA is well-suited for Norway's distributed geography and cold-weather conditions.

"This essential and meaningful step will support the industry, accelerate innovation in new mobility, and strengthen our expertise. We are excited to continue this critical work", said Lars Kobberstad, Director General of CAA Norway. "Aviation is a safe mode of transport and a well-regulated sector. As the aviation authority, we will ensure that we facilitate testing new technologies and contribute to safe testing and future integrations. We will learn how rules and regulations must evolve to enable new technologies and concepts. Through this, we aim to build the necessary expertise early on for tomorrow's solutions."

"The first flight of the Test Arena is a major milestone for Norwegian aviation and for Avinor, and a key step towards future commercial operations of zero- and low-emission flights in Norway," said Abraham Foss, Avinor's Chief Executive Officer. "As a small, open economy with a dispersed population, Norway is entirely dependent on aviation and its broad network of airports. We are strongly committed to driving the long-term transition to a more sustainable aviation sector, while maintaining strong domestic and international connectivity."

A team of BETA pilots and maintenance personnel successfully delivered the aircraft, N214BT, to the Test Arena after an extensive journey spanning several weeks across the European Union. The flights commenced in Shannon, Ireland, and traversed the Irish Sea, the United Kingdom, the English Channel, and continued to the Paris Air Show, where ALIA conducted daily flights, before proceeding through Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, and finally reaching Norway.