FAIR 2 – Promoting sustainable aviation
Photo: Eviation
PROJECT GEOGRAPHY
The study area in FAIR 2 (shown in orange on the map) is geographically limited to the Kvarken Council EGTC’s member areas in Sweden and Finland and to the municipality of Luleå in Sweden.
In the project, we will refer to this study area as the Northern Nordics.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The project is the continuation and the next strategic step in fulfilling the partnership’s ambition to become a pioneer in sustainable regional aviation. The overall objective is divided into two sub-objectives:
1.
Increase the understanding of the demand for sustainable regional aviation.
2.
Raise awareness of the opportunities that sustainable regional aviation offers among inhabitants, businesses, and authorities in the Northern Nordics.
COMMON CHALLENGES
The demand study’s objective is to gain a better understanding of the demand for regional aviation and attitudes toward zero-emission aviation alternatives.
The study will analyse the region’s existing travel patterns as well as the demand and attitudes of residents, private sector companies, and public sector organisations. Research tools will include data mapping, surveys, and interviews.
EXISTING AND POTENTIAL DEMAND
Results will be compiled in a report that aims to give a broader understanding of the demand for sustainable aviation. The report will summarise both the existing demand and the potential demand. Based on this, an analysis will be made regarding the potential of sustainable regional aviation in the region. Implications in terms of commercial viability and/or public benefits of new routes or networks will be outlined.
MAIN OBJECTIVE
The FAIR 2 project’s main objective is to create deeper knowledge about the demand for sustainable regional aviation. Results from the upcoming study will form the basis for decisions on how regional actors will proceed with measures that support the introduction of sustainable aviation technology. This may include, for example, discovering a business model that responds best to the region’s needs (commercial or procured traffic, scheduled or charter traffic etc.) and is most suitable for the dimensioning of airport infrastructure or infrastructure for drones and vertical take-off aircraft (eVTOL).
We are preparing our region to implement and welcome sustainable aviation as soon as the certification process for eco-friendly air travel modes is completed in the late 2020s.
BACKGROUND
The FAIR initiatives are leading the way in making regional and cross-border aviation more eco-friendly. These projects are major steps for us in the Kvarken region and the Northern Nordics in our efforts to use green ways of flying within our region. We aim to be one of the first to switch to this kind of air travel as soon as certifications are in place.
PREVIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
FAIR
The initial FAIR project enhanced knowledge about electric aviation and its possible effects for both the Kvarken region in Finland and Sweden, as well as Nordland in Norway. Project findings pointed to significant benefits, such as reduced travel times, decreased emissions, and the prospect of cost savings, which could collectively foster closer ties within the cross-border region.
Based on these insights, the project proposed actions for regional stakeholders to become early adopters of electric aviation. However, several of the proposed measures are dependent on better data to be dimensioned. Generating knowledge about the demand is the main scope of the EU Interreg project FAIR 2.
Read more about the previous FAIR project here. You can find the final report with recommended actions here.
FACTS
Project time: 1.6.2023–30.11.2024.
Budget: 450,430 EUR
The total budget of this project is 450,430 EUR, whereof 292,780 EUR is EU funding via the Interreg Aurora programme. The rest of the funding comes from Finnish national and Swedish regional co-funding, the Nordic Council of Ministers, and municipal and private co-funding.
PROJECT PARTNERSHIP
LEAD PARTNER EU
Kvarken Council EGTC (sole beneficiary, EGTC)
FINANCIERS
Interreg Aurora, Regional Council of Lapland, Kvarken Council EGTC, FAB Kronoby Flyghangar, Vaasa Region Development Company VASEK, Umeå Municipality, Skellefteå Airport, Skellefteå Kraft, Luleå Business Region, Sundsvall Municipality, Into Seinäjoki, Länsstyrelsen Västerbotten, Örnsköldsvik Municipality, Lycksele Municipality, Region Västerbotten, MidtSkandia.
ABOUT OUR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, SDGs
Socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable development is an overarching goal in the Interreg Aurora programme. As an approved project within Interreg Aurora, we actively contribute to the advancement of sustainable development. The FAIR 2 project contributes primarily to the UN’s following Sustainable Development Goals:
Global Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
This is based on the project’s focus to enable innovative transportation and strengthen transport infrastructure by mapping demand and providing better conditions for implementation.
Global Goal 13 – Climate Action
This is based on the project being directed towards electric and sustainable air transportation that can contribute to reducing emissions from the transport sector.
Related reports
CONTACTS
Director, Kvarken Council
Mathias Lindström
mathias.lindstrom@kvarken.org
+358 50 918 6462
Communications Manager
Johanna Häggman
johanna.haggman@kvarken.org
+358 50 309 2960
Financial Manager
Maria Snickars
maria.snickars@kvarken.org
+358 50 591 9164