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Electric aviation – a solution for short- and mid-range flights

TA-9-2024-0014 · P9_TA(2024)0014 · PE751.901

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 26 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution on electric aviation says electric and hybrid-electric aircraft can cut aviation emissions and improve connectivity, especially for regional, island and outermost areas. It asks the Commission to support regional airports, explore electrification potential with regions and member states, and identify the routes most suitable for full electrification. It calls for investment in research, batteries, charging and hydrogen infrastructure, and for EU funding and state aid rules to back the sector. It urges EASA to set certification standards, the Commission to adopt a common strategy for electric aircraft, and the EIB to deploy targeted funding.

Key points

  1. Regional airports are important for short and medium-range electric flights; the Commission is asked to affirm financial support for them, especially those active in electric aviation.
  2. Electric aviation could improve connectivity and access to public services, jobs and sustainable tourism in smaller, isolated, island and outermost regions.
  3. The Commission should explore, with regions and member states, the time savings electric flights offer where geographical barriers exist, citing Nordic countries and outermost regions.
  4. Electrification could make abandoned regional routes viable; eVTOLs and fixed-wing electric aircraft use different technologies, serve different markets and are complementary.
  5. Low-decibel electric aircraft should get simplified noise permits; the industry should use EASA's work on noise assessment for eVTOL aircraft.
  6. The Commission should ensure electric flights serve short regional routes for public service obligations, and member states should consider revisiting bans on short and medium-haul flights.
  7. Member states should explore market incentives for electric aircraft manufacturers, operators and SMEs; EU state aid rules may need modifying to support the eVTOL sector.
  8. The Commission, with Eurocontrol and EASA, should identify routes most suitable for full electrification; hydrogen can play a significant role for larger aircraft.
  9. On-airport infrastructure must be in place by 2025; the Commission and member states must implement the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation and ensure its end-2026 evaluation takes place.
  10. Batteries face weight and energy density limits; the Commission should fund next-generation solid-state batteries and reduce dependencies in the battery supply chain.
  11. The Commission should create a strategy for electric aviation infrastructure, including power generation, grid connection and charging, and a targeted strategy for hydrogen production and storage.
  12. The Commission should adopt a European strategy for development, certification and deployment of new aircraft including eVTOLs, and EASA should set certification standards.

Who is affected

  • Regional airports, especially those active in electric aviation, which are asked to receive financial support.
  • Island, outermost and peripheral regions, which need financial, substantive and technical support for charging infrastructure and training.
  • Electric aircraft manufacturers, operators and SMEs, which member states are invited to support with market incentives.
  • The aviation industry, which is called on to join efforts for a sustainable battery supply chain and use EASA's noise work.
  • The Commission, EASA, the EIB and member states, which are asked to act on funding, certification, infrastructure and strategy.

Figures and deadlines

  • Emissions from international aviation increased by 146 % by 2019 compared to 1990.
  • 50-55 % of emissions could be reduced by shifting to sustainable aviation fuels.
  • 30-35 % of emissions could be reduced by deploying new technologies.
  • 5-10 % of emissions could be reduced by optimising aircraft operation and infrastructure.
  • 5 % of emissions could be reduced by opting for new market-based measures.
  • 75 % of the global civil fleet will have to be replaced from 2035 onwards.
  • Existing large airports could consume 5-10 times more electricity by 2050 than they do today.
  • The first elements of on-airport infrastructure must be in place by 2025.

Legal basis: Article 90 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union.