Sick of exorbitant flight taxes? Well, you’re in luck, because an emission-free flight to London could very well be on the cards within the next few years.
The Netherlands and the UK just signed a joint statement to “achieve a zero-emission aviation corridor between the two countries”, reports Het Koninklijk Huis (the Dutch Royal House).
King Willem-Alexander attended the signing during his working visit to Liverpool, which focused on “Dutch-British cooperation on the use of innovative technologies in the maritime manufacturing industry and the aerospace sector”.
Meet the plane taking you there
In a knowledge-sharing initiative with KLM and Transavia, Hoofddorp aircraft manufacturer Elysian is working to develop the E9X, an innovative battery-electric aircraft set to take off in 2035.
With a capacity of 90 passengers and a total range of 1,000km, the emission-free plane would put most UK destinations within flying distance of the Netherlands.
And watch out, Eurostar — there’s competition swiftly approaching on the horizon. Should the craft take off, its technology “promises cleaner and more efficient transportation”.
“It’s eye-opening that we can often operate more sustainably and cost-effectively than trains,” states Elysian co-CEO Daniel Rosen Jacobson. “Busy routes like Amsterdam–London prove entirely feasible with electric flight.”
Is this the future of flight?
“We’re not just aiming for emission-free flying — we want to shape the passenger experience of the 21st century,” Jacobson confirms. “Which aspects of air travel are outdated? How can we make flying more pleasant, efficient, and sustainable? Together, we’ll find these answers.”
Transavia, in particular, wants to explore greater sustainability in its fleet, including the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF): “Through this collaboration, we can take concrete steps toward sustainable air transport.”
KLM, meanwhile, wants to explore the industry-wide impact of emission-free flight. With various industry partners, the airline is currently exploring flights powered by electricity, hydrogen, and hybrid fuels.
According to KLM Zero Emission Aviation Program Manager Jolanda Stevens, “this collaboration enables us to envision how our sector can transform.”
Cross-border cooperation is also a hot topic
“Today showcased the results achieved when research institutions and the high-tech industry work hand in hand,” the king said during the closing reception of his working visit, at Liverpool Town Hall. “It’s fantastic to see how the region is working on electric passenger aircraft and researching whether circular batteries could eventually replace kerosene.”
And he wasn’t alone, either. Accompanied by representatives from key Dutch businesses, as well as their British counterparts, attendees “explored how to further strengthen and deepen” the two countries’ economic cooperation.
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