A proposal is set to be made to designate Shannon Airport as Ireland's first electric airport at a meeting of Clare County Council next month.
Fine Gael Councillor Johnny Flynn has submitted a motion to Clare County Council for its July sitting with the goal of meeting Ireland's climate action targets and modernising Shannon Airport.
The Ennis Councillor wants the council to engage the government and Shannon Airport to make plans for the "designation and development of Shannon Airport as Ireland’s Electric Airport using green electricity to power green aviation, initially short haul and long haul in the future with battery improvement."
"We need to be looking for solutions rather than looking to the private sector," Flynn said.
The proposal follows the recent news that aircraft leasing company Avolon and Vertical Aerospace have made a $2 billion order for up to 500 VA-X4 electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. Avolon CEO Domhnall Slattery, a native of Ennis, believes the development will revolutionise air travel with zero emissions aircraft.
The VA-X4 is a zero emissions, electric powered Vertical Takeoff and Landing craft capable of reaching speeds of over 200 miles per hour. It has a travel range of over 100 miles and can accommodate four passengers and a pilot.