Bristow Group, together with Electra, Norwegian airport operator Avinor and Luftfartstilsynet, the civil aviation authority of Norway (CAA Norway), will conduct demonstration flights with Electra's hybrid-electric EL2 technology demonstrator at five locations across the Scandinavian country. Capable of taking off and landing in approximately 50 metres, the aircraft combines electric propulsion with a turbogenerator powered by SAF. The project aims to generate operational, regulatory and market knowledge to support the introduction of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. Bristow Group holds the first production slot for Electra's nine-passenger EL9 under a pre-delivery payment agreement signed in January 2026, converting a 2021 letter of intent into binding terms for five aircraft, all from the EL9's first year of production.

Horvnes quay near Sandnessjøen and Kongsbergporten Business Park will be used to demonstrate operations at novel landing sites where no established runways exist today. Trondheim and Oslo airports will provide experience with integrating operations into larger airport environments. Mosjøen airport has been selected as an example of a short-runway airport in northern Norway where the aircraft's capabilities and new approach procedures can be assessed.

“What matters is not the individual location itself, but that we are able to test the technology under different conditions and in different parts of the aviation system. This will give us insight into what is required in terms of infrastructure, airspace, procedures and regulations when new types of aircraft are ready to enter service in Norway,” says Karianne Helland Strand, executive vice president sustainability and infrastructure at Avinor.

“These locations will allow us to demonstrate the capabilities and operational flexibility of Electra's ultra-short takeoff and landing aircraft across a range of operating environments while helping us better understand what will be required to safely integrate these technologies into future operations,” adds Dave Stepanek, Bristow executive vice president and chief transformation officer. “With the locations now selected, we can begin detailed planning for next year's flight demonstrations.”

“Electra is showing how Ultra Short aircraft can expand regional travel, connecting cities and major airport hubs, with communities and destinations without traditional runways,” states Diana Siegel, vice president of commercial programmes at Electra. “This series of demonstrations lays the groundwork for a 'Direct Aviation' ecosystem, bringing together regulations, policy, infrastructure and aircraft operations to make more direct travel a practical option for more people.”

The Norwegian demonstrations are the second project to run under Norway's international test arena for zero- and low-emission aviation, established by Avinor and CAA Norway in April 2024. “When we test new aircraft technologies in such a range of different scenarios, we will be able to assess whether the existing regulatory framework is fit for purpose. It is also valuable for us to build knowledge about how a new type of aircraft with specific characteristics can be safely integrated with other air traffic,” says Jan Petter Steinland, director of innovation, research and sustainability at CAA Norway.

The project is now entering its next phase. The partners will develop the detailed test programme, obtain the necessary approvals and prepare the locations. The first demonstration flight is planned for the third quarter of 2027.

Norway's international test arena for zero- and low-emission aviation is a government initiative led by Avinor and the CAA Norway, with financial support from the Norwegian Government. The test arena is intended to contribute to the faster and more predictable introduction of new zero- and low-emission technologies through practical testing and the development of regulatory frameworks.