Heathrow to waive landing fees for first electric aircraft
Test flight of Pipistrel Alpha Electro
Heathrow is planning to waive landing fees for a year for the first electric aircraft to go into scheduled service as part of its plan to become a world hub for greener jets following the opening of its proposed third runway.
The deal, which The Times claimed was worth about £1 million, will be followed by other incentives to airlines in the future, said the airport.
Both Airbus and Boeing, as well as smaller aircraft manufacturers, are competing to develop entirely electric or hybrid planes, with the hope of putting the first into full service by the middle of the next decade.
Slovenian manufacturer Pipistrel flew a pure electric two-seater aircraft over Oslo airport in the summer.
The company is now working on a larger, four-seater electric hybrid.
At the same time, Heathrow is keen to show that it has real pans to cut noise and emissions in order to get the final go-ahead for its controversial third runway, which is the subject of a planning consolation.
EasyJet is working the US manufacturer Wright Electric to develop an electric jet, which is expected to join its fleet within the next 10 years. The airline is hoping this will replace conventional aircraft on short flights of up to 335 miles.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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