The First European Fully Electric All Cargo Airline Unveiled at Farnborough International Air Show
Today the Netherlands-based e-Smart Avia B.V., a member of e-Smart Group, announced the establishment of its operational arm, Europe’s first all-electric cargo carrier ClearSky Airlines
The planned launch of the new airline’s all-electric cargo network based on the BETA ALIA CX300 aircraft platform is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
FARNBOROUGH, The United Kingdom / AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands
22 July 2026 - e-Smart Avia today announced that its all-electric cargo airline will commence with a European network and will operate under the commercial name ClearSky Airlines, marking the next milestone in the e-Smart Group’s journey towards commercial cargo operations in zero direct emission aircraft related activities.
The announcement was made at the Farnborough International Air Show, where the company confirmed its intention to launch commercial operations in the second half of 2027 with an initial fleet of five 100% electric BETA Technologies ALIA CTOL aircraft, operating from its home base in the Netherlands.
Since its establishment, the project has been developed under the brand e-Smart Avia with a focus on securing aircraft delivery, finalizing the business plan, aircraft purchase agreement and fleet financing.
Following the most recent announcement of a partnership with aerospace leasing specialist, SLI, which will provide asset financing for the initial fleet of ClearSky Airlines, e-Smart Avia will now focus on the operational and regulatory foundations required to launch a new airline, including progressing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) application with the objective of obtaining certification during 2027, securing commercial commitments from launch customers, and assembling the ClearSky Airlines management team.
ClearSky Airlines will operate the 100% electric BETA Technologies ALIA aircraft, producing zero direct CO₂ and NOx emissions and minimum noise, which might even allow for night-time operations across Europe. Starting in the Netherlands, the airline aims to become one of the first operators in Europe to introduce a dedicated fleet of electric aircraft into scheduled and charter regional cargo service, focusing on time-critical shipments up to 500 kgs over distances of up to 500 kilometres on a direct flight.
From its planned main operational base at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, complemented by additional European operating locations across the network, the airline will initially operate scheduled services for strategic logistics partners alongside premium charter flights for customers in the life sciences, healthcare, aerospace, automotive, high-value goods and other time-critical verticals throughout Europe. Strategic partnerships with several long-haul air carriers to develop regular air feeder services are also under serious consideration.
"The launch of ClearSky Airlines is the pivotal moment not just to introduce electric aviation to the commercial market, but also to launch new air products like ‘air-feeder services’, which are too harmful for the environment and too expensive for the customers, if operated with conventionally powered airplanes," said Stan Wraight, a co-Founder of e-Smart Group.
"ClearSky Airlines is the first step in the ambitious plans of the Group to make electric aviation a commercial reality. Based on the strategic partnership with SLI Aerospace Leasing, e-Smart Avia is aiming to quickly grow its fleet and operations across mainland Europe using its Dutch-registered ClearSky Airlines, and expand beyond to other regions including the UK, Middle East and North-East Asia." – added Jacques Heeremans, a co-Founder of e-Smart Group and e-Smart Avia.
About ClearSky Airlines
ClearSky Airlines is a Netherlands-based regional cargo airline and one of Europe's first companies dedicated exclusively to operating quiet, sustainable and ultra-efficient 100% electric aircraft.
ClearSky Airlines is developing a zero-direct-emission regional air cargo network using the BETA Technologies ALIA CTOL CX300 fleet, serving time-critical logistics markets across Northwest Europe. Commercial operations are targeted to commence in the third quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.
For further information:
Jonas van Stekelenburg, e-Smart Avia
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