Umeå in Northern Sweden is investing in Fossil-free aviation and is investigating the conditions for flights with biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen. The city of Umeå runs, together with Swedavia, BioFuel Region and RISE Research Institute of Sweden a ‘Fossil-free aviation in northern Sweden – an implementation study’. Sustainable fuels in the form of biofuels, electricity or hydrogen will make it possible to travel more sustainably.
– Today, there are no technical obstacles to start flying with renewable fuels. In Northern Sweden, there are also raw materials, research, and knowledge to develop sustainable biofuels in the form of residual products from the forest industry. What we need to do now is to strengthen the demand and the market in the area, says Janet Ågren (S), chair of the municipal board’s planning committee.
– Swedavia has for many years been involved in pushing for the transition to a fossil-free flight that is necessary for future transports where the flight is included. We have pushed for this work through several initiatives and in collaboration with the rest of the aviation industry, with a focus on increasing the opportunities to choose sustainable biofuel for aviation. We also work to get our airports ready to receive electric flights when they are on the commercial market. We are very positive that the project is now starting together with our partners. It will be an important piece of the puzzle in the continued work towards a fossil-free flight, regionally, nationally, and internationally, says B-O Lindgren, Airport Manager, Umeå Airport, Swedavia.
– Aviation plays a central role in Sweden’s opportunities to position itself in the global arena. Northern Sweden’s business community constitutes a large part of Swedish exports and a functioning flight to link Sweden, Europe and the world is therefore crucial. The fact that aviation will be fossil-free is central to the region’s continued sustainable development, and with Umeå’s innovative power, we can help the outside world to create solutions for aviation conversion, says Peter Juneblad, business manager, Umeå municipality.
