Overview
- On Monday Loganair signed a term sheet at the Farnborough Airshow to acquire five Alia CX300 electric aircraft with options for five more and said it intends to operate at least five electric planes from 2029.
- The Alia CX300 is a conventional takeoff and landing, fully electric aircraft that carries up to five passengers, has a range suited to roughly 100-mile hops and can recharge in about 20 to 40 minutes.
- Loganair conducted demonstration flights earlier in 2026 and reported the tests showed electric flights are commercially promising and could reduce operating costs by as much as 80 percent.
- The airline has cut frequencies on loss-making Scottish routes and is pressing the UK and Scottish governments for a new financing model or PSO-style subsidies to keep marginal services viable during the fleet transition.
- Key uncertainties include final certification, delivery and airport charging infrastructure, whether the term sheet becomes a firm order, and how any government subsidies will be designed and funded.