The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and aerospace company BETA Technologies today announced the nation’s first all-electric aircraft to land at one of the agency’s three major airports in the New York-New Jersey region with the arrival of BETA’s ALIA conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The all-electric aircraft’s historic first flight to JFK flew 45 minutes with a pilot and four people, including Matt Koscal, president of Republic Airways, and Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of Blade Air Mobility.
The milestone flight follows six years of rigorous testing and development by BETA and reflects the Port Authority’s continued commitment to safety and innovation by advancing next-generation transportation solutions. The demo flight is the result of a request for innovation (RFI) issued by the agency in 2023 seeking proposals from companies to demonstrate their next-generation aircraft at a Port Authority airport. As part of its agency-wide push to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the Port Authority is committed to working with public and private partners to test clean-energy innovations that have the potential to improve mobility, reduce environmental impacts, and expand access across the region.
“The Port Authority has long positioned itself as a testbed for the transportation technologies of tomorrow, and this historic flight is the latest example of how we’re working to bring innovation into real-world infrastructure,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “We’re excited about the potential for innovations like all-electric aircraft to ease regional travel while reducing emissions and noise pollution. We’re proud to embrace innovation and help lay the groundwork for a more efficient and environmentally friendly future of flight.”
“This milestone flight is directly aligned with the Port Authority’s aggressive agenda to build a more sustainable future and to support the development and rollout of new technology,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We’ve pledged to reach net-zero emissions across all agency operations by 2050, and advancing clean, electric-powered aircraft is a key part of that strategy. As one of the country’s largest transportation agencies, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to explore technologies that reduce emissions and to continue to create innovative air travel capabilities.”
“BETA Technologies’ historic flight into New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport is a powerful demonstration of how Empire State Development’s strategic public investments — including a multi-million dollar grant to expand BETA’s facility at Plattsburgh International Airport — are propelling private sector innovation, environmental sustainability, and giving flight to paradigm-shifting industries and technology,” said Hope Knight, CEO, president and commissioner of Empire State Development. “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York state has never been more globally competitive; from aerospace to agribusiness, our positive, productive partnerships with industry innovators like BETA are creating high-quality jobs and economic opportunity in the sectors that will anchor the future economy.”
“NYCEDC is propelling New York City’s transition to advanced air mobility, laying the groundwork for quieter, cleaner and safer skies by upgrading and electrifying city-owned assets to accommodate electric aviation,” said Andrew Kimball, president & CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). “Today’s milestone flight showcases the technological readiness, regional connectivity, and collaborative efforts between multiple levels of government and pioneering companies to thoughtfully integrate sustainable aviation into our transportation system — driving job creation and economic opportunities across the five boroughs and beyond, all while providing New Yorkers with quiet skies and clean air they deserve.”
“Flying our electric aircraft into one of the world’s busiest airports, with passengers, proves advanced air mobility is not some future concept, it’s here,” said Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of BETA Technologies. “Today’s flight is about more than technology; it’s about innovation and connecting communities in safer, quieter, and more efficient ways. After years of rigorous safety testing in all types of environments, we’re proud to stand here with the Port Authority and the city of New York to demonstrate exactly how this aircraft can serve cities by easing congestion, reducing emissions, and increasing accessibility.”
“At Republic, we’re always exploring innovative technologies that can help us better connect people and communities — and BETA’s eCTOL represents a meaningful step forward in that effort,” said Matt Koscal, president of Republic Airways. “With its all-electric design, impressive performance characteristics and a thoughtful approach to passenger comfort, this aircraft reflects real progress in sustainable regional mobility. We’re looking forward to continuing our engagement with BETA as we evaluate how their platform might complement our training programs and our overall commitment to advanced air mobility.”
“This electric aircraft flight from Long Island to New York City highlights that quiet and emission-free flight is quickly becoming a reality benefiting Blade’s fliers, local residents, and other key stakeholders,” said Rob Wiesenthal, founder and CEO of Blade Air Mobility. “I can think of no better way to demonstrate our company’s commitment to quiet, electric aircraft commercialization than my participation on this flight as a passenger myself.”
The BETA Technologies aircraft is one of a new generation of aircraft that the industry refers to as advanced air mobility (AAM), often electric and capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing. AAM technology is designed to move people and goods more efficiently within and between urban areas. With its lower cost of operation when compared to traditional aircraft, AAM technology has the potential to reduce noise pollution, ease congestion, improve air quality and connect communities.
The Port Authority issued a request for innovation in December 2023, soliciting proposals from companies looking to demonstrate their next-generation aircraft at a Port Authority airport with a goal of better understanding the aircraft’s technological capabilities, regulatory requirements, infrastructure requirements and potential applications. The Port Authority is committed to the continued and safe exploration of AAM’s feasibility and utility as the technology develops.
BETA’s ALIA aircraft was named after initial customer United Therapeutics’ CEO Martine Rothblatt’s daughter, who fought lung disease. It was initially developed to carry out organ transport missions. BETA has been undergoing extensive safety testing and demonstrations of its ALIA CTOL aircraft in real-world environments over the past several years. To date, it is the first and only AAM aircraft to obtain a market survey certificate from the FAA, which allows the company to conduct demonstration flights under stringent safety standards ahead of full FAA certification. The aircraft has logged thousands of miles across the country, integrating into the national airspace in some of the busiest commercial airports, with each step of its development guided by federal regulations designed to ensure passenger safety and airspace security.
Earlier this year, BETA conducted a coast-to-coast journey, flying its ALIA CTOL production model more than 8,000 nautical miles from Plattsburgh, N.Y., to Los Angeles and back. The company has recently launched a similar flight campaign throughout Europe, with plans to begin delivering aircraft to customers later this year. BETA also conducted a demonstration flight with BETA customer Blade Air Mobility in 2023 out of Westchester County Airport (HPN).
In addition to its ALIA CTOL, BETA is producing and certifying an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, ALIA VTOL. This family of aircraft is designed for utility and efficiency, with the ability to transport a pilot and up to five passengers or 1,250 pounds of cargo. The company has also developed a suite of charging solutions to enable the emerging AAM industry. This includes the charge, a fast charger compatible with most air taxi manufacturers and ground support vehicles. BETA produces aircraft and chargers in its nearly 200,000-square-foot production facility in South Burlington, Vt., with multiple aircraft produced and ready for delivery to customers. BETA tests flights out of Plattsburgh, N.Y.
The Port Authority has worked to facilitate the development of sustainable and clean energy advancements across the aviation landscape. This includes entering into a strategic partnership with NASA to explore the next generation of flight in urban environments, expanding electric vehicle charging stations, developing New York state’s largest rooftop solar array at JFK’s New Terminal One, building the nation’s largest airport solar rooftop at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A parking garage, installing a solar array on JFK’s long-term parking Lot 9, and integrating a solar rooftop at LaGuardia Airport. The agency is also committed to electrifying its light-duty vehicle fleet by 2028 and nearly all of its airport ground service equipment by 2035. The Port Authority also completed a full decarbonization retrofit of Newark Liberty’s historic Building One, serving as a blueprint for similar work at other legacy facilities across the agency.
