Norway's Scandinavian Seaplanes plans to become the first electric airline in Norway by retrofitting its fleet with electric powertrains being developed by Australian-Spanish entity Dovetail Electric Aviation.
In a statement on social media, the seaplane operator said it currently operates a fleet of six aircraft. It has reportedly signed for five conversions. According to ch-aviation research, its fleet includes at least three 40-year-plus-old Cessna (single piston) 206 seaplanes, including a turbocharged amphibious variant.
Dovetail is in the process of certifying an integrated electric system that encompasses electric motors and battery packs, with plans to incorporate hydrogen fuel cells for extended range capabilities. It is developing an electric and hydrogen-electric version of the Cessna (single turboprop) 208 Caravan, as well as a hydrogen-electric version of the De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Twin Otter and Beech (twin turboprop) King Air 200.
Apart from retrofitting its existing fleet, Scandinavian Seaplanes said it also planned to commence land-based flights with smaller twin-engine aircraft for up to 20 passengers, starting in Spring 2024. "After the introduction of the eCaravan seaplane, the company will continue to electrify its land-based operation with the hydrogen-electric versions of the Twin Otter and King Air," it stated.
The Bergen-based company was established by Daniel Boden in 2016. It was awarded an AOC and operating licence for the commercial transport of up to 20 passengers by the Norwegian Aviation Authority in March 2022.
The seaplane specialist said it operated more than 1,300 flights in 2023 from its bases in the Bergen seaport, Ulvik/Eidfjord, and Aurland. From Bergen, it services cruise companies and tour operators, offering circular flights in western Norway, while air taxi services for individuals and companies were increasing.
Boden holds the largest stake in the company, owning 43.2% of the shares, followed by Kenneth Jaconsen Holding AS with a 20.9% stake. Additionally, there are eight other private shareholders holding minority stakes in the company.
Scandinavian Seaplanes is the only seaplane operator in Norway, whereas Denmark's Nordic Seaplanes (Aarhus SPB) is expanding its seaplane operations to Malta under the name Nordic Sky (Malta) and acquired a minority stake in Surcar Airlines (Gran Canaria), with plans to revive inter-island seaplane flights in the Canary Islands.
ch-aviation reported that Nordic Seaplanes considered Norway as part of its expansion plans but found the strict noise regulations in the country to be an issue. Noise restrictions in Norway are stringent to ensure environmental protection and minimise noise pollution, especially in environmentally sensitive areas.
In 2020, the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and the Norwegian civil aviation authority (Luftfartstilsynet) commissioned a national programme to further electric aviation. The goal is to make Norway the first country where electric aircraft account for a significant share of the market and to electrify all domestic flights by 2040.
