Elfly Group, developers of all-electric seaplane program Noemi, (No Emissions) signed a Letter of Intent with the Lofoten Green Islands, a private-public partnership for sustainable development, in the Lofoten Archipelago in Arctic Norway.
The organizations have agreed to pursue the development of zero-emission regional aviation together.
The contract was signed in Lofoten for contributing parties Lofotkraft, Destination Lofoten and the Lofoten Council, on behalf of the six Lofoten municipalities – Røst, Værøy, Moskenes, Flakstad, Vestvågøy and Vågan.
The group recognizes that Elfly’s ambitions can contribute to Norway achieving its stated goals for domestic aviation to be emission-free by 2040 and that Elfly can help Lofoten become a pilot region for zero-emission aviation.
Lofoten is an early mover embracing the UN’s climate goals under its roadmap for the Lofoten Green Islands. Its sustainability programme was launched in February 2022 under a partnership between the Lofoten Council, Lofotkraft and Destination Lofoten.
“We are very proud to have the Lofoten Regional Council on board with us on this journey, as we work to develop a product which suits their needs in the region, supporting travel and tourism, but also addressing the local transport needs for Lofoten inhabitants. This agreement shows that with our electric seaplane concept we meet that need, and that we have interested customers. Seaplanes will return,” said Eric Lithun, CEO and founder, Elfly Group.
“Lofoten is a spectacular but demanding geographical area, where ground transport takes a long time. An electric aircraft capable of landing on water in a safe and good way, affordably priced, will be very good for Lofoten. We can travel from Svolvær to Reine in less than half an hour and make much better connections with larger regional centres,” said Mayor of Vågan municipality and head of the Lofoten Regional Council Vidar Thom Benjaminsen.
“Electric seaplanes with boat hulls and good stability, can add exciting new travel opportunities within Lofoten. Our fishing villages can be connected by seaplane from port to port and they can help open new business opportunities for Reine, our most popular and iconic destination,” said Hanna Sverdrup, Mayor of Moskenes.
“With ambitions to be a pilot region for emission-free aviation, this collaboration gives Lofoten valuable exposure in global arenas. Here we demonstrate Lofoten is ahead of the curve embracing future-oriented technological developments in aviation,” said Jonny Finstad, Mayor of Vestvågø.
“For the outermost islands such as Værøy and Røst, Elfly can offer completely new travel concepts to and from Bodø and our neighbouring municipalities in Lofoten,” said Elisabeth Mikalsen, Mayor of Røst.
“The electric seaplane will be especially interesting for the Island municipality of Værøy, which is served by helicopter routes, twice daily to the regional surroundings and mainland,” said Susan Berg Kristiansen, Mayor of Værøy.
“At Lofotkraft, we are in the process of expanding power and charging solutions in the ports of Lofoten, and look forward to working with Elfly,” said Arnt M. Winther, CEO of Lofotkraft.
