
The new Scottish Electric Aviation Network (SEAN) consortium is aiming to “demonstrate the practical role electric aircraft could play within the country’s existing regional aviation network.” Following recent confirmation of £1.5 million ($2 million) in UK government funding, test flights are set to start next year, including a three-month assessment of Beta Technologies’ Alia CX300 aircraft.
On July 23, consortium leader Bristow Helicopters explained that Project SEAN “aims to provide evidence-based recommendations to support future commercial deployment of electric aircraft while strengthening regional connectivity and contributing to broader decarbonization goals.” In addition to U.S.-baed Beta, other project partners include advanced air mobility consultants EA Maven, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership, and vertiport developer Skyports Infrastructure.