First electric flight lands at Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport has made history by welcoming its first ever electric flight. The plane, called the Pipistrel Velis Electro, is a small two-seater aircraft that runs entirely on electricity instead of traditional fuel. This week, the Velis Electro touched down at Gatwick as part of a 17-day tour around France, making a special stop at the busy UK airport. The arrival of this electric plane is a significant step for both the airport and the aviation industry as a whole. The Velis Electro is not just a demonstration model; it is approved for commercial use and pilot training, which means it could soon be used more widely for short flights and teaching new pilots. Gatwick’s CEO, Mark Johnston, expressed pride in the airport’s role in supporting efforts to reduce pollution from flying. He pointed out that the Velis Electro might also be the smallest plane ever to land at Gatwick, which is usually used by much larger passenger jets. Johnston said that Gatwick’s goal is to be an airport for everyone, and as it grows, it must do so in a way that is good for the environment. The company that operates Gatwick, Vinci, explained that the electric plane’s visit is part of a larger plan to make the airport greener. Alongside the plane’s arrival, Gatwick is introducing 47 new electric vehicles for use around the airport, including cars for airside operations and engineering. This is just the beginning of a bigger project: by 2030, Gatwick wants all 300 of its vehicles to be electric. The airport is investing 250 million pounds in a decarbonisation programme, aiming to reach net zero emissions for its own operations. This means that Gatwick wants to balance out any pollution it creates by reducing emissions as much as possible and offsetting the rest. Not everyone is happy about the airport’s plans to grow and modernise. Some local residents have protested against further expansion, saying that Gatwick is already large enough and that more flights could harm the environment and their communities. They have made signs and held demonstrations to share their concerns. Despite this, Gatwick’s leaders believe that making the airport more sustainable is the best way forward. The landing of the Pipistrel Velis Electro is a symbol of the changes happening in aviation. Electric planes are still new and can only fly short distances right now, but they show that it is possible to fly without using fossil fuels. As technology improves, more electric planes could be used for short trips, pilot training, and even some commercial flights. Gatwick hopes to be at the front of this movement, showing other airports and airlines how to make flying cleaner and greener. The airport’s efforts to switch to electric vehicles and support new technology are part of a global push to fight climate change. The arrival of the Velis Electro is just one step, but it is an important sign that the future of aviation could be much more sustainable.