The new air mobility mix and future CONOPS - customer journey, technology and organisational design for the future airline

Founded in collaborations with world-leading aerospace technology companies, Widerøe Zero is now in position to introduce both an electrified commuter aircraft (STOL) and an all-electric aircraft with vertical take of and landing capabilities (EVTOL). The aircraft will be ready for market introduction by 2027 and the missing piece in that picture is the design of a certifiable and profitable concept of operation. For the project, we are establishing a state-of-the-art research and innovation laboratory - The Air Mobility Lab. With our lab we aim to investigate future customer journeys for air mobility across the country and in real environments. Aviation is a highly regulated industry and market introduction of aircraft takes time; especially when the aircraft is of new technology, not used before in commercial aviation. In addition to understanding the customer, the project will investigate and define missing regulations and capabilities in collaboration with public regulatory bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Any operation of aircraft is subject to certification from EASA/Norwegian CAA, whereas an airline must obtain a type-specific AOC (Air Operator Certificate) to operate new aircraft and design an organization capable of introducing and safely operate these new air mobility concepts. Moreover, our partners are investigating the future service and product portfolio for ground handling and maintenance of aircraft with novel technology, such as high voltage propulsion systems, hydrogen energy storage, and autonomous system. Based on this new knowledge the project aims to develop a commercially viable concept of operation for Zero Emission Aircraft.

Widerøe Zero has now the unique possibility of being first in the world to introduce an zero emission aircraft in commercial operation. Widerøe Zero has formal industrial collaborations with world leading companies for the development of both an electrified commuter aircraft (STOL) and an electrified VTOL. The air mobility concepts will be ready for market introduction within five years. The missing piece in that picture is the design of the future Concepts of Operation (CONOPS). This is the very central research aim of this Pilot T project. A typical CONOPS is a concept for operating an aircraft in a particular region and on particular routes. Aviation is a highly regulated industry and market introduction takes time. With our project we aim at developing new knowledge and to start renewing our organisation with the aim of introducing these new air mobility concepts. With our Pilot T project, we will cover genuine topics of future CONOPS for electrified STOLs and VTOLs. For the project we establish a state-of-the-art research and innovation lab - The Air Mobility Lab. With our lab we aim to investigate the future customer journey for air mobility across the whole country and in real-life settings with methods from open and collaborative innovation. We further investigate the future service- and product portfolio for ground handling and maintenance for the new air mobility concepts. Any operation of aircrafts is underlying EASA/ CAA regulations and certification. Any airline needs to obtain a type specific AOC (Air Operator Certificate) to operate novel aircraft. Our Pilot T will examine in-depth studies for missing regulations and missing capabilities in our organisation in collaboration with public bodies and the industries. Based on these research topics (future customer, future ground handling and maintenance, future AOC) the project aims at developing the future Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) based on viable business models.