A fully electric aircraft landed at Berlin Brandenburg Airport for the first time during regular airport operations on 21 July 2026. The stopover was part of a wider European journey by pilot Uwe Nortmann in a two-seat Elektra Trainer aircraft.
The flight does not mark the start of electric passenger services at BER. Instead, it shows how small electric aircraft can already use regular airport procedures and existing ground infrastructure.
What happened at BER
The Elektra Trainer arrived at BER as part of a record-focused electric flight across Europe. The journey began in Memmingen on 2 July and continued through Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland before reaching Berlin.
At BER, the aircraft was welcomed by airport CEO Aletta von Massenbach and representatives from the airport’s Sustainability Management team. The aircraft was scheduled to continue towards southern Germany on the same day.
What kind of aircraft landed at BER
The Elektra Trainer is a fully electric ultralight aircraft with two seats. According to the manufacturer, it has a range of around 300 kilometres and can remain airborne for up to two and a half hours.
Its typical cruising speed is around 120 kilometres per hour, while the maximum speed is approximately 170 kilometres per hour. The aircraft is designed for short regional flights and training rather than commercial airline operations.
Why the landing matters
Electric aircraft are significantly quieter than conventionally powered aircraft. The Elektra Trainer produces less than 50 decibels of noise according to the manufacturer, which is comparable to moderate rainfall.
The aircraft produces no CO₂ emissions during flight. At BER, it can be handled using procedures that are largely the same as for larger aircraft, and this type of aircraft can be charged from a standard 16-amp electrical socket.
Does this change anything for BER passengers?
For passengers travelling through BER today, there is no change to normal arrivals, departures or airline operations. The landing was a one-off demonstration and not a new scheduled service.
However, the visit is relevant because it shows that electric aviation is moving from theory into practical airport operations. Larger series-produced electric aircraft are expected later, with wider introduction anticipated in the early 2030s.
Transfer note for BER travellers
Passengers arriving at or departing from BER should continue to plan their journey around the usual practical factors: terminal, flight time, baggage collection, passport control and road traffic around the airport.
Airport Transfer Berlin monitors BER-related travel developments and provides private transfers between Berlin, BER Airport and intercity destinations. For airport pickups, passengers should always share the terminal, flight number and planned arrival time when requesting a transfer.
Source: Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH / BER Corporate News, published 21 July 2026.
