News / Cargo flight tests show electric aircraft Alia has clear route to regular services

Electric aircraft engines are three-times more efficient than traditional-fuel alternatives, says one operator, claiming it has a clear route to market and commencement of cargo operations.

Showcasing Beta Technologies’ Alia model, head of commercial sales Patrick Buckles claimed the engine the team had developed was already at 98% efficiency, in comparison with traditional power’s 30% average efficiency.

“What this means is that the aircraft will gain capability as it ages, a consequence of improvements in battery technologies,” Mr Buckles told The Loadstar.

“As this tech improves, we will be able to reduce the level of space we have to allocate for batteries, increasing the payload, freeing up more space for freight; on average, we are seeing flight ranges double every five years from these improvements.”

The Alia currently has a range of 300km to 350km, with a payload of up to 560kg of cargo, and the company is pushing forward on certification in the EU, the UK, and the US.

Mr Buckles said he expected freight services to be under way in all three jurisdictions by 2027, but hinted it may come sooner, with the potential for US Federal Aviation Authority approval before the end of this year.

He said: “The US airforce has been trialling the aircraft for four months, moving cargo and 100% of those flights operated with zero cancellations. This is unheard of, but we have built the aircraft to ensure this. Its simple build is key. It has just two moving parts in the engine, in comparison with the hundreds in a traditional engine.”

This reduced engine complexity would not only lower maintenance costs, but also speed up the time it takes to complete MRO checks, which “can all be done in a day”, added Mr Buckles.

“We are targeting customers in ecommerce, pharmaceuticals, and mail – the UK’s smaller islands are ideal markets, given the Alia’s running costs, which can be measured in tens of pounds rather than hundreds.”

Alongside US government backing, Beta has received funding from Amazon, UPS, and a range of pharmaceutical companies, including United Therapeutics.