Loganair and BETA Technologies have begun a series of demonstration flights to showcase the capabilities of the ALIA CTOL electric aircraft.
Specifically, the BETA Technologies ALIA CTOL electric aircraft is being used to inform how the UK’s Royal Mail could use the plane as part of their essential daily mail flights delivering post to remote Scottish communities.
On March 20, 2026, the first demonstration flight took off from Glasgow to Dundee, with further flights planned between Aberdeen, Inverness, Wick and Orkney.
The flights will carry representative letters and parcels, replicating the daily mail flights operated by Loganair so that Royal Mail can deliver to Orkney and the wider Scottish Highlands and Islands.
“This is a landmark day for European aviation, and in particular for Scotland’s airline Loganair,” said the company’s CEO, Luke Farajallah. “We are not talking about concepts, prototypes, or distant ambition, this is a real tangible programme of flying across our network which will provide invaluable data on how an electric aircraft could perform in a real commercial environment.”
BETA’s ALIA CTOL is an all-electric conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, designed for regional cargo and passenger operations.
ALIA can operate from existing runways, and recharges in approximately 20-40 minutes using BETA’s fast-charging system. The aircraft has a demonstrated range of 336 nautical miles and a payload capacity of up to 560kg.
Simon Newitt, Head of Sales and Support at BETA Technologies, said: “Scotland’s geography makes it one of the most compelling environments for electric aviation anywhere in the world — short routes, existing infrastructure, and communities that have depended on reliable air connections for generations. Flying real postal routes alongside an operator with Loganair’s experience is exactly how you validate this technology.”
Royal Mail delivers to all 32 million addresses in the UK and relies on Loganair’s operations to reach the most remote locations.
“This is an important step towards making electric mail flights a reality for some of the UK’s most remote communities,” said Chris Paxton, Strategic Insight and Innovation Manager at Royal Mail. “By working with Loganair and BETA Technologies, we’re proud to be the first UK delivery company to test an electric aircraft, supporting our journey to Net-Zero by 2040 while continuing to serve all 32 million addresses across the UK.”