THE SEAPLANE OF THE FUTURE
The electric aircraft of the future lands on water
Since 2016, NORDIC Seaplanes has connected Aarhus and Copenhagen directly from harbour to harbour. Now we are working on the next chapter: electric aircraft, less noise, and a more efficient way to connect cities and coastal areas—together with Norway’s NOEMI Aerospace.
A new chapter for the seaplane
In September 2024, NORDIC Seaplanes and the then Elfly Group—now NOEMI Aerospace—signed an agreement for five NOEMI aircraft, with an option for a further ten.
This made NORDIC Seaplanes the first airline to enter into an agreement to put NOEMI into commercial operation.
The agreement is about more than new aircraft. It is built on close collaboration, where our experience from daily seaplane operations will contribute to developing an aircraft that works in real life—on the water, in the air, and on a busy schedule.
Born electric. Built for water and land
NOEMI has been developed from the ground up as a fully electric amphibious aircraft. This means the aircraft must be able to take off and land both on water and on standard runways.
The aircraft is being developed primarily for short regional routes, where electric propulsion makes good sense. It is a natural fit for the type of connections we know from our current operations between cities, harbours, and coastal destinations.
NOEMI at a glance
- Fully electric
- Seats nine passengers
- Can operate from both water and runways
- Expected flight time of approx. 60 minutes
- Significantly less engine noise
- No direct CO₂ emissions from the engines during flight
NOEMI is still under development, and the technical specifications may therefore change up to certification and commercial operation.
19/3 2026
Why NOEMI matters to our future
In March, our CEO Ole Christiansen and Chief Pilot Lasse Rungholm visited NOEMI Aerospace in Norway to follow the development of the electric amphibious aircraft up close.
In the video, Ole talks about the challenges NORDIC Seaplanes faces with rising fuel prices, CO₂ emissions, and noise—and why the transition to electric aircraft is crucial to our future. A quieter aircraft could also open up opportunities for new routes and destinations.
Lasse also had the opportunity to take the controls in the NOEMI simulator. Here, for the first time, he could experience the aircraft’s characteristics and compare them with the DHC-6 Twin Otter we fly today.
Watch the video and step inside NOEMI Aerospace, where the electric seaplane of the future is taking shape.
Why electric seaplanes make sense
Seaplanes typically operate on short routes. They can fly directly between cities and areas that would otherwise require long journeys by car, train, or ferry—and they can use harbours, lakes, and coastal areas without the need to build major new airports.
With electric propulsion, this flexibility can be combined with less noise and no direct CO₂ emissions from the engines during flight.
This could open up opportunities for new routes and make the seaplane an even stronger part of regional infrastructure.
Our experience is part of the development
NORDIC Seaplanes has flown the DHC-6 Twin Otter since 2016. Daily operations have given us hands-on experience with, among other things, water operations, weather conditions, harbour facilities, passenger handling, and planning short, efficient routes.
We bring that knowledge into the collaboration with NOEMI Aerospace.
Our pilots and operations team contribute real-world experience, and in 2026 our Chief Pilot and co-founder, Lasse Rungholm, tested the aircraft’s simulator.
His first reaction was clear: “I look forward to flying the aircraft for real.”
The road to 2030
Developing a completely new aircraft requires thorough testing, documentation, and approval. That is why the transition to electric aircraft will happen step by step.
2024
NORDIC Seaplanes and Elfly Group sign the agreement for five NOEMI aircraft, with an option for a further ten.
2025–2026
NOEMI will carry out, among other things, wind tunnel testing, water testing, and flights with a smaller test model. At the same time, the project takes the first formal steps towards certification with EASA, and construction of the first full-scale aircraft begins.
2027
NOEMI Aerospace is working towards completing the first flight with the full-scale aircraft.
Around 2030
The goal is certification and the start of commercial operations.
The timeline depends on development, testing, and regulatory approvals. Until the aircraft is certified and ready for operations, we will continue with our DHC-6 Twin Otters.
From Aarhus and Copenhagen to new connections
Our route between Aarhus and Copenhagen has already shown what a difference a direct harbour-to-harbour connection can make.
With NOEMI, we are not only looking at the future route between Denmark’s two largest cities. An electric amphibious aircraft can also create new opportunities to connect islands, coastal towns, and other destinations in Denmark, Scandinavia, and the rest of the world.
Our ambition is the same as always: to shorten distances and give our passengers more time for what matters.
We are already flying towards the future
NOEMI is not yet ready to carry passengers. But the work is underway, the first full-scale aircraft is under construction, and NORDIC Seaplanes is actively involved in the development.
The seaplane of the future has not landed yet – but the course is set!
