The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Electrifying prospect for island flights
Travel: Minister reveals plane ideas
Electric planes could fly routes between the Highlands and islands as part of what the Scottish Government has hailed the “third revolution” in aviation.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson yesterday said ministers were “actively considering” electric aircraft for such short flights.
His support for the technology came to light in a letter to MSPs on Holyrood’s rural economy and connectivity committee.
Mr Matheson said electric aircraft were likely to be the “preferred solution” for greener links between island communities.
Loganair has already spoken of its ambition to use electric-powered planes on its island-hopping Orkney passenger services.
The regional airline has said it aims to bring the aircraft into service by 2021.
Mr Matheson said: “We are entering the ‘third revolution’ in aviation following the Wright Brothers and the jet age.
“Hybrid aircraft and fully electric aircraft are being developed now and we want Scotland to be part of the third revolution.
“Electric aircraft, particularly on short Highlands and islands routes, are likely to be a preferred solution for the future to provide affordable, reliable and sustainable connectivity for our island communities. We are actively considering that now.”
But his letter drew an angry response from the Green Party as it also argued for the growth of airports to boost the economy and improve connectivity.
Mr Matheson said bringing back the Inverness to Heathrow service had “opened up” the Highlands to the rest of the world.
“There is a balance between the economic value of aviation and the environmental impact it creates,” Mr Matheson wrote.
“Where airports are growing, as we see at Inverness and Edinburgh, the economic benefits are clear.”
But the Greens accused him of trying to tackle the climate emergency with “only the use of new technology, including electric planes that aren’t even available yet”.
Highlands and islands Green MSP John Finnie said: “The Scottish Government appears to want to pursue continuous growth of aviation.
“Declaring a climate emergency is meaningless unless the government also has the will to address the main contributors to it.”
A Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) spokesman said: “We are committed to reducing our environmental impact wherever possible and are supporting a project that aims to launch the world’s first electric air transport routes.”