Keen on green transition? So are we!

Aviation has high emissions. Today, we account for 2% of global CO2 emissions and 2% of national CO2 emissions. Short-haul aviation makes up 0.1% of this.

As other sectors reduce emissions, our share will significantly increase if we don't act now. We can not accept that. 

The EU aims for net-zero by 2050. Norway aims to reduce emissions by 50-55% by 2030. Pollution should come at a cost, and it does. Today Co2 emissions are taxed and the co2 rates are increasing year on year. That means aviation must cut emissions to help save the climate, but also to survive as an industry.

Norway depends on aviation. In many parts of Norway, flying is essential for public transportation. We won't stop flying in Norway, but we'll change how we fly.

Flying is faster and require fewer nature interventions than other forms of transport. The problem is the fuel, not the mode of transportation nor the aircraft.

Norway's short-haul network is the backbone of Norwegian transportation and globally unique. With over 40 airports, short runways, short distances, and clean power, Norway is ideal for developing a network of fossil-free flights.

We need a technological shift in aviation. Easier said than done. Currently, there's no off-the-shelf product where airlines can buy large emission-free passenger aircraft. But it's coming. The Widerøe Group is closely involved in several research and development projects and hope to operate the first commercial fossil free routes as early as 2028.

Having new technology available isn't enough. The entire cookbook for running a commercial airline must be rewritten with a fundamental technological shift like this. Therefore, it's crucial to start flying this first-generation technology as soon as possible. We need that to establish business models, route maps, and the optimal playbook for running a safe and profitable zero-emission airline.

First-generation fossil-free planes will be small 9-seater aircraft. These planes are crucial for reaching the point where we have viable fossil-free options for larger traffic flows. The lessons we learn early in the process are essential for advancing with larger, longer-range, and higher-capacity aircraft.

A 9-seater plane won't meet Norway's transportation needs. We're completely transparent about that. Using these aircraft also comes with dilemmas. An aircraft's lifespan is normally up to 30 years. For Widerøe, the lifespan of these first-generation planes will be much shorter – they're a step toward the aircraft that will replace the existing short-haul fleet. Widerøe's lifespan will consequently be limited. That said, many airlines will follow Widerøe's lead, having the same need to develop cookbooks for their new business models, and they might be interested in taking over these aircraft when Widerøe moves on to the next generation.

We, the small regional airlines, are at the forefront of this development. The work we're doing is crucial for making aviation entirely fossil-free. We're proud of that.

Widerøe's ambition is to become one of the world's first airlines to be nearly emissions-free. Widerøe was named Eco Airline of the Year in 2022. Not for what we've done, but for what we're about to do.

What is Widerøe doing to reduce emissions?

Reuse – we buy used, repair, and extend lifespan

An aircraft has a lifespan of up to 30 years. Widerøe's short-haul fleet is due for replacement. However, buying new aircraft with old technology isn't an option for Widerøe. While waiting for a technological shift, Widerøe buys secondhand planes, upgrade them, and carries out extensive service programs to extend their lifespan in a safe and climate-friendly way.

Where do we buy used aircraft? We buy used planes from all around the world if they're in good condition and can be used for many more years.

Do we reuse for economic or climate reasons?

Both! It's beneficial for both the climate and the economy when we buy used aircraft. The money we save from buying used planes allows us to invest in initiatives like Widerøe Zero, which is crucial for accelerating the green transformation of the industry. The technological shift will also be expensive, and we need every penny we’ve got to lift this investment that we know is coming.

Isn't Widerøe contributing to climate change by not investing in the latest technology that can reduce emissions by up to 30%?

The short answer is no. Firstly, there are currently no alternative aircraft suitable for our short-haul network. The short runways on the Norwegian short-haul network require specific characteristics in the aircraft used. The good news is that when a new aircraft type is developed, it's combined with fossil-free technology.

Secondly, the life cycle of a passenger aircraft is typically 30 years. Investing in a new aircraft that will fly for at least another 30 years, even with somewhat reduced emissions, doesn't suffice for Widerøe. It's like ordering a new diesel car today knowing it will be on the road for another 20-30 years. The technological shift is just around the corner. Therefore, we're waiting to buy new aircraft until we have technology that can significantly cut emissions and that we can fully utilize over its lifespan.

When can you book your first trip on a fossil-free plane?

The honest answer is that we don't know. We hope it could be as early as 2028. Widerøe Zero, a company within the Widerøe Group, has already received research funding from the Research Council of Norway to develop operational concepts for electric aircraft. The government's Aviation Strategy aims to facilitate a research and development tender for the implementation of new technology. Many strong forces are working together to accelerate development. We hope it will be possible to book your first fossil-free flight as early as 2028, but this primarily depends on how long the CAA certification process will take.

What is Widerøe doing to reduce emissions today?

It will be a few more years before the first fossil-free planes are ready for takeoff. In the meantime, we're working on reducing emissions in other ways. On short routes, propeller aircraft are the best choice as they fly lower and pollute less during takeoff and landing. We've already implemented new flight planning systems that ensure we fly as efficiently as possible. This has already cut our emissions by 10%. We're upgrading the cockpit in our aircraft to enable shorter approaches and receive better weather data. This saves fuel and emissions.

One of Widerøe's strengths is our ability to use right sized aircraft for the various routes we operate. The larger the aircraft, the greater total emissions, so we never use larger plain than necessary.

Additionally, we can incorporate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce the carbon footprint of current flights. It's a good interim solution, but unfortunately, it's costly and has limited availability. Read more about Widerøe's specific actions.

What is Widerøe Zero?

Widerøe Zero is a subsidiary within the Widerøe Group. It has been established as an incubator and think tank, with one of its primary objectives being to contribute to the development of a new, fossil-free aircraft that can replace Widerøe Flyveselskap's short-haul fleet, including the Dash8-100 and Dash8-200 aircraft. Widerøe Zero is engaged in numerous collaborative R&D projects with major players in the industry, such as engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce and aircraft manufacturer Embraer. We take great pride in the fact that these significant industry players have chosen to collaborate with a company within the Widerøe Group. This collaboration also serves as evidence that Norway is regarded as an exceptionally compelling market for this emerging technology—a fact that we wholeheartedly endorse!