A British airline has gone into liquidation after an attempt to raise £20 million fell through. Ecojet Airlines, a Scottish company founded in 2023 by entrepreneur Dale Vince, who is known for owning Forest Green Rovers football club and supporting the Labour Party, was touted as the world’s first all-electric airline.
The airline had ambitious plans for long-haul flights in mainland Europe, with an initial route from Edinburgh to Southampton in the works. However, documents from the end of January revealed that a petition was filed at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to wind up the business and appoint joint interim liquidators.
Upon its launch, Dale Vince emphasized the importance of transitioning to green living, stating that achieving net-zero emissions in air travel is not a question of if, but when. Opus Restructuring’s Paul Dounis and Mark Harper were appointed as provisional liquidators, following a voluntary liquidation decision by Ecojet’s board.
Ecotricity, the parent company, highlighted the aviation revolution initiated by Ecojet, aiming to enable emission-free air travel for the first time. The airline planned to retrofit conventional planes with hydrogen-electric powertrains, leading to a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions while saving 90,000 tonnes of carbon annually.
Despite the liquidation, the company’s members have committed to funding the process to ensure that employees receive their full statutory entitlements. This move signifies a setback in the pursuit of sustainable aviation but underscores the challenges and complexities in transitioning to greener transportation solutions.