First electric flight lands at London Gatwick, as part of VINCI Airports Network Elektro Tour to promote innovation in sustainable air travel
- Nine airports in the Vinci airport network are participating in the tour which started in Lyon on 1 July
- The tour will be flown by a Pipistrel Velis Elektro, the first certified electric plane
- Tour coincides with the delivery of 47 new electric vehicles at London Gatwick, as part a commitment to transition the airport’s vehicle fleet to fully electric
The first ever electric flight to land at London Gatwick (9 July) took place as part of the VINCI Airports Network Elektro Tour.
The Elektro Tour is taking place over 17 days with the Pipistrel Velis Electro flying between VINCI airports in France and London Gatwick to showcase innovation in electric and decarbonised aviation.
The 50-flight leg tour, an early-stage proof of concept, coincides with the delivery of 47 new electric vehicles at London Gatwick, including airside operations and engineering cars. This is part of a programme to upgrade the airport’s entire 300-strong vehicle fleet to fully electric by 2030 to support a broader £250m decarbonisation programme to achieve net zero for its own emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030.
The airport recently invested £14m in 14 electric tram buses to transport passengers between the terminals and long-stay car parks, plus associated charging infrastructure. Due to be running by early 2026, the switch will save 17.7 tCO2e in carbon emissions per year.*
Mark Johnston, Chief Operating Officer, London Gatwick said: “We’re pleased to welcome the VINCI Airport’s Elektro Tour team to the airport, this might just be the smallest aircraft to ever land at London Gatwick!
“We’re proud to be playing our part in supporting wider efforts to decarbonise the aviation sector. Our vision is to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey, and as we grow, we must do it sustainably. Our transition to an electric vehicle fleet is just one example of our Decade of Change sustainability strategy in action.”
- *Figure is based on 2024 usage and against HVO fuel
- The arrival of the flight at London Gatwick on 8 July is part the VINCI Airports Network Tour – VINCI Airports major partner of the Elektro Tour, 1st tour in a certified electric plane between France and England
- Velis Electro is the world’s first electric powered airplane to receive a Type Certificate (EASA.A.573 TCDS) in more than 30 countries (including from the CAA in the UK). The two-seater can be operated commercially and is approved for pilot training as well as other operations.
- London Gatwick’s substantiality policy, Decade of Change, sets out how the airport will implement an integrated approach to economic, societal and environmental issues and solutions
- London Gatwick has used 100% renewable electricity to run the airport since 2013
- During the airport’s transition to EVs, all diesel vehicles are fuelled by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, reducing future fleet emissions by up to 90%
- London Gatwick is Europe’s first airport with a GRIDSERVE electric charging forecourt – with 30 public charging points
- London Gatwick’s runway uses 100% energy-saving LED lights
- Aircraft can plug into the mains at each gate, therefore do not need to keep the engines running
With 43 million annual passengers, London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest and one of Europe’s top ten airports. It is a vital piece of national infrastructure that drives both the national and regional economies by generating £5.5 billion GVA and supporting over 76,000 jobs (2023). Almost 60 airlines fly from the airport to over 150 short-haul and more than 50 long-haul destinations. With a declared capacity of 55 movements an hour, London Gatwick is the most efficient single runway airport in the world.
The airport is located 28 miles south of the UK capital and is extremely well-connected, with more than a quarter of England’s population (15 million people) – including all of London – less than one hour away by road or rail. A six-year, £2 billion sustainable growth programme includes an ambitious plan to be a net zero airport by 2030 and to increase capacity by bringing the airport’s existing Northern Runway into routine use, alongside its Main Runway. VINCI Airports owns a 50.01% stake in the airport, with Global Infrastructure Partners managing the remaining 49.99%.
VINCI Airports, as the leading private airport operator in the world, manages the development and operation of more than 70 airports located in 14 countries. VINCI Airports draws on its expertise as a comprehensive integrator to develop, finance, build and operate airports, leveraging its investment capability and know-how to optimise operational performance and modernise infrastructure while bringing about their environmental transition. In 2016, VINCI Airports became the first airport operator to commit to an international environmental strategy, setting itself the aim of reaching zero net emissions (scope 1 and 2) across the network by 2050 while supporting the territories’ local climate transition.
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Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of BlackRock, is a leading infrastructure investor that specializes in investing in, owning and operating some of the largest and most complex assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water and waste management sectors. With energy pragmatism central to our investment thesis, we are well positioned to support the global energy transition.
GIP’s scaled platform has over $170 billion in assets under management. We believe that our focus on real infrastructure assets, combined with our deep proprietary origination network and comprehensive operational expertise, enables us to be responsible stewards of our clients’ capital and to create positive economic impact for communities. For more information, visit www.global-infra.com.
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London, UK, 14 May 2025
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