Research has revealed that a new sustainable aviation system in the Highland and Islands could create up to 2,500 jobs and improve mobility around the region.
The Scottish Government-sponsored project aims to bring together UK aerospace heavyweights in a bid to tackle transport challenges.
Project Eilean, part of the government’s drive to become net zero by 2045, saw independent digital engineering research company, the Centre for Modelling & Simulation (CFMS), collaborate with Rolls-Royce, Loganair, the University of Strathclyde and Scottish Enterprise.
A team of digital engineering experts from CFMS researched the viability of a low emissions aircraft, capable of short haul operations across Scotland’s furthest-flung regions.
Digital analysis assessed alternative fuel sources, including electric battery, hydrogen electric, and hybrid fuel (diesel and electric).
The report also outlined six flight paths that could reduce reliance on road or rail transport while boosting tourism. These would connect Kirkwall, Wick, Inverness and Skye to city hubs of Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
Increased passenger numbers, combined with more sustainable aviation, are expected to lead to create thousands of new roles in the Highlands and Islands alone, in addition to an increase in skills retention and development within the existing resource pool.
The report comes as the Scottish Government announces three pilot schemes to help Scotland’s tourist hotspots pave the way to net zero; and follows the publication of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review, which highlighted the need to make transport in Scotland more sustainable.
Project Eilean aims to help key decision-makers take informed action based on the strength of the market opportunity and scale of the technical challenges faced.
The report showed a global market - in excess of 2,000 aircraft – for regional green aviation, but noted that the progress from concept to reality would require lighter batteries with up to 10 times the existing power storage to be developed.
CFMS recommended the integration of green aviation fuel requirements into wider hydrogen initiatives.
It also found that further development of aircraft propulsion systems, combined with an entirely new airframe, could tackle weight and maintenance issues, leading to a more sustainable vehicle.
Ian Risk, chief technology officer at CFMS, explained: “Project Eilean shows the possibilities for sustainable aviation in Scotland, and the significant future impact this could have on the aerospace industry.
“Enhancing connectivity links is vital for communities cut off from other modes of transport and, through digital engineering, we have identified potential routes that not only optimise sustainability but have the potential to create thousands of jobs; a truly economic proposition for Scotland.”
Andy Smith, head of sustainability at Loganair, said: “This report confirms the significant opportunity, both at an industrial and a social level to utilise the wealth of aerospace expertise and capability in Scotland to develop a low carbon airliner suitable for the Highlands and Islands.
“Loganair supports the conclusions of this report and looks forward to working with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to plan the first zero carbon commercial flight within Scotland.”
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