Antwerp Airport Tests Electric Cargo Plane in Milestone Test
Antwerp and Ostend-Bruges airports have conducted their first operational test flight of a fully electric cargo aircraft, positioning themselves at the forefront of sustainable aviation in Belgium. The demonstration, reported by Het Laatste Nieuws, marks a significant step toward reducing carbon emissions in the regional air freight sector.
The aircraft used in the test is the Beta Alia CX300, an all-electric conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) utility aircraft manufactured by Vermont-based Beta Technologies. With a payload capacity of 560 kilograms and a range of approximately 500 kilometers, the CX300 is designed for short-haul regional cargo routes. By comparison, a traditional cargo plane can carry roughly 200 times more weight.
A Strategic Push for Sustainable Aviation
Nathan De Valck, CEO of Antwerp Airport and Ostend-Bruges Airport, emphasized the strategic importance of the test. “We have the necessary space and operational flexibility to test new technologies like electric flying,” he said. “We want to play a pioneering role in making the aviation sector more sustainable.”
The demonstration flight is part of a broader series of operational test flights within the Benelux region. According to De Valck, electric aviation will bring about a significant shift in regional air transport in the coming years. “The new generation of electric and hybrid aircraft is designed to connect cities within a radius of 500 to 1,000 kilometers with low emissions,” he noted.
Targeting Critical Cargo Niches
In its initial phase, the electric cargo initiative will focus on socially critical niches within freight transport. These include e-commerce logistics, organ transport for transplant operations, and medicine distribution — time-sensitive, high-value cargo that is well-suited to the CX300’s modest but capable payload capacity.
The regional airports are strategically positioned to serve this market. As De Valck pointed out, the Netherlands, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg are all within easy reach, making the airports ideal hubs for cross-border electric cargo operations.
The Aircraft: Beta Alia CX300
The Beta Alia CX300 is a purpose-built electric utility aircraft that has been undergoing an extensive global demonstration tour. According to Wikipedia, the CX300 variant was announced in March 2023 and received a special airworthiness certificate from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in November 2024, followed by its maiden test flight.
Key specifications include a maximum speed of 283 km/h, a wingspan of 15 meters inspired by the Arctic tern, and a charge time of under one hour. The aircraft is powered by a single Beta Technologies H500A electric motor driving a five-bladed Hartzell propeller, and features Garmin G3000 Prime avionics — the first electric aircraft to incorporate this system.
Beta Technologies has secured orders from major logistics and aviation companies, including UPS (10+ aircraft), Air New Zealand (up to 23), Bristow Norway, Loganair, and several medical and air mobility operators.
Broader Context: Belgium’s Electric Aviation Journey
Tuesday’s test flight builds on earlier developments in Belgian electric aviation. In April 2024, the ASL Academy introduced two Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft at Antwerp Airport — the first fully electric training aircraft in Belgium, as reported by EVolution.be. These aircraft are used for basic pilot training and have a flight time of approximately one hour.
The airports, operated by French infrastructure group Egis under a 25-year concession, have faced financial challenges in recent years. However, as VRT NWS reported, Antwerp Airport posted a positive operating result of €492,000 in 2025 — its first in years — while Ostend-Bruges recorded €78,000. CEO De Valck has positioned electric aviation as a key pillar of the airports’ diversification and sustainability strategy.
Challenges and Outlook
Despite the promising milestone, significant challenges remain. The CX300’s payload of 560 kg is a fraction of conventional cargo aircraft capacity, limiting its application to specific niche markets. Charging infrastructure and battery technology are still evolving, and full type certification from aviation authorities is still in progress.
Moreover, the airports face competition from other European hubs — including Schiphol, Shannon, and Stavanger — that are also pursuing electric aviation trials. Financial sustainability remains a concern, with the airports still dependent on subsidies from the Flemish government.
Nevertheless, the successful test flight represents a concrete step toward operational electric cargo aviation in Belgium. As De Valck put it: “Waiting is not in our DNA. As pioneers in the aviation sector, we gladly seize the opportunity to lead in the adoption of electric flying.”
What’s Next
The demonstration flights are expected to continue within the Benelux region as the airports work toward establishing regular electric cargo operations. The focus will be on building the necessary infrastructure, securing commercial partnerships, and demonstrating the economic viability of electric air freight on regional routes. If successful, Antwerp and Ostend-Bruges could become important testbeds for the electric aviation ecosystem in Europe.