The Nordic transport ministers from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway have signed a declaration on electric aviation. The purpose of the declaration is to strengthen Nordic collaboration to promote the development of commercial electric aviation.
A joint Nordic working group
The Nordic Network for Electric Aviation (NEA) – a project funded under Nordic Innovation’s Green Mobility program - took part in the meeting. The meeting was the final stop on a Nordic policy tour and the purpose was to give the Nordic transport ministers insight into status, obstacles and opportunities for Nordic collaboration within electric aviation as well as to provide a ground for decision-making.
One of the of the concrete proposals was the establishment of a joint Nordic working group with representatives from both the industry and government with the purpose of aligning actions and removing barriers. Another recommendation was a Nordic cross-border route.
Following the presentation, the ministers discussed how to ensure regulations and favourable conditions for electric aviation in the Nordic countries and how to facilitate Nordic collaboration and exchange of best practices. The meeting was finalized with the signation of the declaration on electric aviation.
The meeting between the Nordic transport ministers marks a milestone for Nordic Innovation’s work within Green Mobility and electric aviation. Nina Egeli explains:
“Nordic governments can now harvest the results of Nordic industry and ecosystem building in sustainable aviation and green transition. At Nordic Innovation we have put our trust in and supported NEA since electric aviation was nothing but a bold vision. Last week in Gothenburg an important milestone was reached as the Nordic ministers for transport jointly recognized the pioneering role played by NEA and how pivotal electric aviation is in the shift towards fossil-free aviation and sustainable mobility”.
Read more about the Nordic Network for Electric Aviation (NEA)
Nordic Policy Tour
Based on an assignment from the Nordic Ministers for Transport and Infrastructure, the Nordic Network for Electric Aviation (NEA) embarked on a Nordic policy tour in spring 2024.
During the policy tour, the network met with policy makers and representatives from the Nordic aviation industries to collect information on status on electric aviation in each of the Nordic countries. The purpose was to get an understanding of how far each country has come and to understand how the countries can align and coordinate. The tour brought together over 100 representatives from the aviation industry, policy makers, experts and stakeholders in mobility and transport across all five Nordic countries.
Read more about the Nordic Policy Tour
Nordic fossil-free air routes in 2030
The new declaration builds on the Fredrikstad Declaration from 2022 in which the Nordic transport ministers agree to pave the way for the establishment of Nordic-fossil-free air routes by 2030, including the promotion of a fossil free aviation sector worldwide and encouraging future collaboration between the Nordic countries.
In the new declaration the Nordic transport ministers agree to strengthen Nordic collaboration to promote the development of electric aircraft by:
- Collaborating on the requisite regulatory frameworks and permit processes to introduce electric aviation, while encouraging close dialogue between the Nordic authorities.
- Advocating collectively in global platforms such as the European Union and the International Civil Aviation Organization for a seamless and harmonized introduction of electric aviation.
- Promoting and accelerating the establishment of commercial electric aviation in the Nordic countries, while supporting opportunities for our industries to become world leaders in important technologies related to electric aviation.
