In a major breakthrough for sustainable aviation, Beta Technologies’ Alia CX300 has become the first all-electric aircraft to fly passengers. The aircraft completed a flight from East Hampton to John F Kennedy Airport, covering 130 kilometres in just over 30 minutes. The cost of the flight was just ₹694 or $8, while the same journey by helicopter would have cost around ₹13,885 or $160 in fuel.
Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of Beta Technologies, said, “This is a 100% electric airplane that just flew from East Hampton to JFK with passengers on it, which was a first for the New York Port Authority and the New York area. We covered 70 odd nautical miles in 35 minutes.” He added, “Charging this thing up and flying out here cost us about $8 in fuel. Of course, you have to pay for the pilot and the airplane, but, fundamentally, it’s way less expensive.”
The flight was also quieter than traditional aircraft, allowing passengers to talk easily during the journey because there was no noise from engines or propellers. This smoother and quieter experience could help make electric air travel more appealing to everyday commuters and travellers.
Beta Technologies, based in Vermont, was founded in 2017 and has recently raised $318 million to increase production and bring the aircraft to market. The company is working on two models, including the Alia 250 eVTOL, and is aiming to get approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for the CX300 by the end of the year.
The CX300 can fly up to 250 nautical miles on a single charge, making it ideal for short trips between cities and suburbs. The company is also building a network of charging stations across the country to support this new mode of transport.
This historic aircraft highlights the potential of electric aviation to offer low-cost, clean, and convenient travel. As more companies enter this space, electric air travel could soon become a reality for many.
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