Consortium Launches Project SEAN to Advance Electric Aviation Across Scotland's Highlands and Islands

July 23, 2026

Project SEAN, a consortium-led initiative bringing together aviation, infrastructure and regional transportation partners, will conduct electric aircraft demonstration flights across Scotland's Highlands and Islands beginning in 2027, following confirmation of £1.5 million in Department for Transport funding.

The Scottish Electric Aviation Network (SEAN) will explore how electric aircraft can strengthen regional connectivity, support sustainable air services and serve remote communities.

Led by Bristow Helicopters Ltd., the consortium of aircraft manufacturer BETA Technologies Inc., Electric Aviation Maven, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), and Skyports Infrastructure will demonstrate the practical role electric aircraft could play within Scotland's existing regional aviation network, through demonstration flights on passenger, cargo and medical service routes to gather operational insights.

A planned three-month flight program will use BETA Technologies' all-electric ALIA CTOL (CX300) aircraft. Flights will operate from a hub at Inverness Airport and connect with selected regional airports, including Wick John O'Groats Airport, allowing the consortium to gather operational data while assessing aircraft performance, charging infrastructure and airport readiness for future electric flight operations.

Building on lessons learned from pioneering zero-emission aviation initiatives in Europe and the United Kingdom, Project SEAN aims to provide evidence-based recommendations to support future commercial deployment of electric aircraft while strengthening regional connectivity and contributing to broader decarbonization goals.

Simon Meakins, Project SEAN consortium lead for Bristow, said: "Project SEAN brings together organizations committed to exploring how electric aviation can support regional connectivity while reducing emissions across Scotland's Highlands and Islands.

With support from the Department for Transport, we can now move from planning to executing real-world demonstration flights and generating practical insights that will help inform the future of electric aviation in Scotland and beyond.

We look forward to working with our partners and local communities as the project progresses toward flight operations in 2027."

Source : Bristow Group