BETA Technologies has delivered its ALIA CX300 electric CTOL aircraft to its first customer. The short-haul passenger aircraft will be used to evaluate use cases and potential routes for zero-emission operations in the Nordic region. Unlike the A250, an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the ALIA CX300 can take off and land via a runway.

The ALIA CX300 electric conventional takeoff and landing aircraft has made its official debut at the Norwegian zero- and low-emission aviation test site after completing a multi-week tour of major European countries.

Designed for short-distance flights between airports, the aircraft can carry five passengers and a pilot and has an electric motor driving a single five-blade propeller in the tail. Its onboard battery can provide a range of more than 300 nautical miles (approximately 480 kilometers) when fully charged in one hour, according to the spec sheet.

A few months ago, the plane's first passengers flew from Long Island to John F. Kennedy International Airport, spending 45 minutes in the air. Today, the first ALIA CX300 has been delivered to Bristow Norway AS, a subsidiary of the US helicopter operator Bristow Group.

The aircraft was delivered to Stavanger Airport in Rogaland County, western Norway, marking the successful conclusion of the aircraft's several-week, 6,976-kilometer (4,335-mile) flight demonstration journey. The flight demonstration trip started in Ireland and ended in Norway, passing through seven EU countries. This also marks the official entry into operation of the Norwegian zero- and low-emission aviation test site.

ALIA CX300 electric CTOL has been delivered to Stavanger Airport and delivered to BETA’s first customer – Bristol, Norway

The launch also saw the first test flight by a BETA-trained Bristol pilot, who recently received on-site instruction at BETA’s headquarters in Vermont. Bristol pilots and aircraft maintainers will work with Avinor and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority over the next six months to conduct further demonstration flights as part of a "six-month regulatory sandbox evaluation project".

The flights will also be considered for future customer routes in the region, starting with flights between Stavanger and Bergen Airport and potentially expanding to further routes later this year.

Sean Hall, chief risk officer at BETA, said: "It is hugely significant for BETA to deliver ALIA to our partners in Bristol and to launch operational testing in Norway. Bristol has been with us from the beginning and shares our pursuit of progress. Norway, with its spirit of innovation and modernization, is an ideal place to drive the development of this technology. Delivering the aircraft to the customer is a huge milestone in some ways and an important starting point for the future development of the industry."