Norway Aviation Leaders Sign LOI to Participate in an International Test Arena for Zero- and Low-Emission Aviation
OSLO, Norway, December 9, 2024 — A Letter of Intent (LOI) has been signed among key aviation stakeholders to participate in an International Test Arena for Zero- and Low-Emission Aviation in Norway. This landmark agreement — which involves the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway (CAA Norway), Avinor AS, BETA Technologies, and Bristow Norway AS (a subsidiary of Bristow Group Inc.) — signifies the parties’ shared commitment to accelerating the adoption of zero- and low-emission aircraft and marks a significant step toward bringing that future to the Nordic region.
The parties will work together to build a Concept of Operations for demonstrating cargo transport, with the aim of carrying out demo operations in a ‘regulatory sandbox’ in Norway by late summer or early fall 2025. By facilitating demonstrations, the project will contribute to the development of critical knowledge and experience for a broad range of key stakeholders. The goal of this process is to test, learn, prepare, and prove the viability of advanced air mobility operations in a controlled environment.
Minister of Transport: “Norway is an attractive market for early introduction.”
“It is very gratifying that the first letter of intent to use Norway as a test arena for zero- and low-emission aircraft is now being concluded. I commend Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority for taking another important step in phasing in new technologies,” said Jon-Ivar Nygård, Norwegian Minister of Transport. “The fact that well-renowned international players such as Bristow and BETA wish to test in Norway, shows that Norway is an attractive market for early introduction of new technologies. It is urgent to move forward with this work if we are to achieve the goal of fossil-free aviation by 2050. This is also the reason why the Government has allocated 50 million kroner to Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority in the state budget for 2025."
"As an aviation authority we are committed to taking a holistic approach to ensure the entire aviation ecosystem is involved. Through close collaboration with the parties, we can facilitate and support the safe integration of new technologies. Developing an advanced regulatory sandbox together with EASA is a significant and rewarding task, but we firmly believe it can support industry, accelerate innovation processes regarding new mobility and provide us with critical competency. We are truly looking forward to this important work,” said Lars Kobberstad, Director General of CAA Norway.
"With the signing of this letter of intent, we are taking a step further on the path towards zero and low emission aviation. Avinor is very pleased that a major player like Bristow and an innovative manufacturer like BETA want to use Norway as a test arena. We have previously stated that the goal was to start test flights by 2025, and we are now well on track to achieve this goal,” said Abraham Foss, CEO of Avinor.
Opportunity to gain valuable experience.
“From the beginning, BETA has taken a hands-on, real-world approach to flight validation, and we look forward to helping bring those learnings to the Nordic region,” said Patrick Buckles, BETA’s Sales Lead. “We’ve designed our technology to be versatile, with the intention of serving all communities with a low-cost solution. Between Norway’s dense populations and sophisticated infrastructure, there is a real opportunity for this technology to make an impact, and we are excited to be working with outstanding partners as the tip of the spear.”
“Bristow is proud to be a part of this vital opportunity for Norway to lead the way in the development of sustainable aviation technology,” said David Stepanek, Bristow’s Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer. “This is the only regulatory sandbox proposed for Europe and expected to be the lead as EASA rolls out AAM regulations and operations. By working together with key industry players, we will gain valuable experience that will help shape the future of aviation.”
The Test Arena will focus on knowledge-sharing, enabling the entire ecosystem to benefit from the trials. It aims to foster collaboration on necessary infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and operational procedures for zero- and low-emission aircraft, ensuring that the entire industry can learn from these innovative developments.
About Avinor
Avinor is a wholly owned state limited company under the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications and is responsible for 44 state-owned airports. Avinor has taken a leading role in reducing climate gas emissions from the aviation industry, including the development of electric aircraft, and supplying sustainable aviation fuel. Avinor provides safe and efficient travels for around 50 million passengers annually, half of which travel to and from Oslo Airport. Around 3,000 employees are responsible for planning, developing, and operating an efficient airport and air navigation service. Avinor is financed via airport charges and commercial sales. The air navigation services are organized as a subsidiary wholly owned by Avinor. Avinor is headquartered in Oslo.
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Avinor
Margareth Aske
margareth.aske@avinor.no
About CAA Norway
CAA Norway's main objective is to contribute to safe, societally beneficial, and sustainable aviation. As an aviation authority, CAA Norway, in collaboration with EASA, will contribute to regulatory facilitation and learning. The purpose is to enable safe testing and phasing in of new technologies in an ecosystem. It will also enable the regulators to identify the need for regulatory changes and to ensure that approval and certification processes are well prepared and can be carried out efficiently. CAA Norway’s main office is in Bodø in the northern part of Norway.
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CAA Norway
Hanne Risa
About BETA Technologies
BETA Technologies is an electric aerospace company that is creating a new paradigm for transporting goods and people, making it greener, safer, and more efficient. To do this, we are building an electric transportation system that includes net-zero, all-electric aircraft and a cross-country, multimodal charging infrastructure to support various types of EVs.
Safety, simplicity, and pragmatism are at the heart of everything we do, from the design of our products to our approach to the market. The team brings experience from top global organizations, and takes a hands-on, multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving and innovation. To foster a deep understanding of aircraft, engineering, and a connection to the mission, each BETA team member has the opportunity to become flight-certified at no cost.
Media
BETA Technologies, Inc.
Lexi Pace
About Bristow Group
Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of offshore energy companies and government entities. The Company’s aviation services include personnel transportation, search and rescue (“SAR”), medevac, fixed-wing transportation, uncrewed air systems and ad hoc helicopter services.
Bristow currently has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dutch Caribbean, the Falkland Islands, India, Ireland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the UK, and the U.S. To learn more, visit our website at www.bristowgroup.com.
Investors
Bristow Group Inc.
Jennifer Whalen
InvestorRelations@bristowgroup.com
Media
Bristow Group Inc.
Adam Morgan
Released December 10, 2024