Heathrow has announced it will waive landing fees for a year — an incentive valued at around £1 million — to encourage the introduction of the first regularly scheduled electric-hybrid aircraft at the airport.
The airport noted that a growing number of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft projects are underway worldwide, and that such aircraft could be operating at major international airports by 2030.
“Heathrow has long been a leader in sustainable aviation. We championed carbon-neutral growth in global aviation, which will come into effect in 2020,” said John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow Airport. “The next frontier is zero-carbon flying, and I hope this incentive will help to make it a reality at Heathrow by 2030.”
Recent trials include a two-seat electric aircraft tested at Oslo Airport this year. In addition, easyJet is partnering with U.S. company Wright Electric, which aims to develop an all-electric commercial passenger jet capable of serving easyJet’s U.K. and European routes within the next decade.