A UK airline has gone into liquidation after an attempt to secure £20 million failed. Scottish company Ecojet Airlines, founded in 2023 by entrepreneur Dale Vince, aimed to be the world’s first all-electric airline. The airline had ambitious plans for long-haul flights across Europe, with an initial route from Edinburgh to Southampton. However, a petition in late January led to the appointment of joint interim liquidators for the company.
Ecojet’s vision was to pioneer net-zero, eco-friendly air travel, using conventional planes retrofitted with hydrogen-electric powertrains. The company’s decision to refurbish existing aircraft rather than build new ones was projected to save 90,000 tonnes of carbon annually, with only water as a harmless byproduct.
Following voluntary liquidation initiated by the company’s board, provisional liquidators Paul Dounis and Mark Harper from Opus Restructuring were appointed. Despite Ecojet being a startup with no significant assets, funds were allocated to ensure that employees receive their full statutory entitlements.
At the launch, Ecotricity, the parent company, emphasized the pioneering nature of Ecojet’s fleet and its potential to revolutionize emission-free air travel. The initiative was seen as a crucial step towards achieving sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation practices.
