Sustainable aviation will change the way the country is connected

Across the Highlands and Islands, we’re trialling cutting-edge green aviation tech with partners. This technology ranges from new hybrid airships, long-distance unmanned cargo aircraft “drones”, electric airplanes and seaplanes, to more traditional-looking aircraft powered by sustainable fuels, such as hydrogen-fuelled aircraft. This will transform aviation into a more attractive option for regional journeys.

That’s all well and good, but this hinges on making sure that we can steer the sector down the correct strategic path in the next five years which will be crucial in determining the future of our industry. Key decisions made on bringing the technology to market will position the region as an early beneficiary through improved connectivity and also increase the likelihood of related investment and job creation.

The good news is that work is already under way to harness sustainable aviation’s potential. At SATE, we want to achieve a revolution in the way that aviation is both thought of and used. We want aviation to be low cost, low fares and with a low carbon footprint. This is the exciting and profound change that this new aviation service can bring.

Funded by the UKRI Future Flight Challenge, SATE became the UK’s first low-carbon aviation test centre in 2020. The Highlands and Islands region has developed a world-leading capability and expertise, many “firsts” both for the UK and wider have been completed in the North of Scotland. This includes the first hybrid electric passenger aircraft flight, the first long-distance, heavy lift, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, and the first flight of an autonomous eVTOL (vertical take-off and landing) heavy-lift drone.

With such a strong track record, now’s the time to press our advantage and create a blueprint for the future of the sector that can be brought initially to service in Scotland and rolled out across the rest of the UK. Working with partners, we’ll scale new low or zero-emission technologies to meet targets, lower costs, and improve connectivity crucial to economic and social development.

Lower operating costs make flying more accessible for everyone. They can mean reduced fares, increased connectivity, and even choice of aircraft. Aircraft capable of vertical take-off reduce dependence on airports and open new routes.

We’re working to bring forward the technology that can deliver the reduction in emissions that we need, while also fitting into the integrated transport picture, to connect us like never before.

David Holden is regional sustainable aviation manager, HITRANS

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