Bristow unveils greener aviation plans for North East Scotland’s island communities
According to STV News, Aberdeen could soon be at the centre for plans for greener air travel, including hybrid and electric helicopter flights, and Scotland’s island communities and the offshore sector could be among those set to benefit from Bristow’s plans for greener aviation.
Bristow bosses met with Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross to discuss concepts for electric helicopter flights and how Scotland could lead the way for more environmentally-friendly air travel by 2030.
Bristow’s executive vice-president David Stepanek said: “What we are doing here today is meeting with Scottish Members of Parliament to discuss early concepts we have for Scotland to be one of the first areas to operate these advanced technologies.
“We plan to expand transportation systems for the general public, to expand logistic opportunities for business and government, and to bring perhaps cargo and healthcare to Scotland’s island communities.”
Bristow is a major operator in the North Sea, taking oil and gas workers to platforms and also provides search and rescue services. It wants to develop smaller net zero aircraft which it says will reduce carbon emissions.
Stepanek said getting workers to Aberdeen before and after their offshore flights could change in future as new technologies allow them to travel to and from the Granite City in net-zero aircraft.
He explained that the technology could power net-zero leisure and business transportation between Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The company claims it could also boost connectivity between the Scottish islands and deliver more energy-efficient ways of carrying out its cargo and logistics operations around the world.
He continued: “This is a real revolutionary opportunity and it is going to have to be for lighter, more emergency needs. Then we can expand to a regional mobility model, so people could fly from the remote islands and villages into Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow.”
Welcoming Bristow’s plans, Ross added: “This is not going to be an overnight solution, but going forward, the work Bristow and others are doing now is going to reap benefits for years to come for remote communities.”
Last week, Bristow Group conducted a successful ‘qualitative evaluation’ of Beta Technologies’ Alia-250 electric-powered aircraft. A year ago, it signed an agreement with Beta to purchase five Alia-250 with an option for an additional 50 aircraft.