Airline wants electric aircraft in CI skies within three years

Tuesday 05 July 2022

An aviation company which launched two years ago is looking to bring electric aircraft to the Channel Islands within the next three years.

GreenAir was launched in 2020, splintering from a company called Harrison Aviation to focus the owner’s intentions into the green aviation space.

Mark Harrison has been working in the aviation industry for more than 50 years and is now pushing for a carbon neutral future.

“What we wish to do is bring eight [hydrogen-electric] planes to the Channel Islands and operate the Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey route, to relieve the ATRs that are currently operating that route and to make those routes zero carbon,” said Mr Harrison.

“This is my contribution to tackling global warming.”

Mr Harrison’s company is working closely with a firm called Project Fresson, which is developing a fleet of Islanders with electric engines.

He says the planes will be ready to fly by the end of the year and will then go into two years of “deep testing”. Beyond that, if the Channel Islands are willing and able, they could go into service as early as 2025.

“We could be one of the first jurisdictions in the world to be operating on zero carbon,” said Mr Harrison. “It’s my ambition to bring hydro-electric vehicles into service before I ‘pop my clogs’.”

Mr Harrison has presented his GreenAir service to several stakeholders, including politicians in Guernsey, Alderney and Jersey.

However, the States of Alderney, on their continued push for an extended runway, have raised concerns with the plans. 

“Although the States of Alderney strongly supports green and environmental initiatives as set out in the Island Plan, we must have certainty over our airlinks and do everything to mitigate any risk to them,” said the Chairman of the Policy & Finance Committee, Ian Carter. 

“GreenAir’s plans are not underpinned by any formal agreements with the key flying partners, Aurigny or Skybus, and omit many of the fundamental detailed aspects of airport and flight procedures. 

“It is important for the long-term future proofing of air connectivity for the island that a longer runway happens which will promote greater opportunities and flexibility, including low-carbon flying.” 

Pictured top: An artist’s impression of the electric Islander. (GreenAir)