Analysis of a Survey to Identify Factors to Accept Electric Airplanes

Abstract

Introducing airplanes powered by renewable energy, such as electricity or hydrogen, is seen as one of the options to contribute to achieving climate neutrality in aviation, especially for regional and short-haul applications. It also brings new possibilities to connect small regional airports and reduce access and egress times to/from airports. This research aimed to gain insights into the acceptance and factors that may affect passenger acceptance of hybrid-electric airplanes for short-haul regional applications. In working toward the aims, a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to active long-distance travelers in Germany. Two structural equation models were estimated to identify the influential factors and their impacts on attitudes and the intention to accept hybrid-electric airplanes. The results confirmed not only the relevance of service attributes, such as travel time, safety, comfort, and climate impact, but also the impacts of psychological and behavioral factors. Generally, safety and security had the highest impact on passenger acceptance. Stronger concerns about the safety and comfort of the new airplanes and of conventional airplanes flying today might reduce the intention to use the new airplanes, whereas stronger climate concerns and trust of new mobility technology might lead to stronger acceptance. Moreover, passengers’ previous experience taking similar types of conventional propeller-driven airplanes might affect their safety concerns about the new airplanes. Information about new aircraft technology and test flying experience may help to overcome psychological barriers.