We are happy to welcome US aviation technology pioneer Aerolane into the Accelerate Estonia program!
Air transport remains the most expensive and carbon-intensive mode of transport in global logistics. Aerolane is tackling this with a commercial cargo-towing solution designed to cut fuel consumption, lower emissions, and boost capacities by using autonomous cargo gliders towed behind existing cargo aircraft.
Aerolane’s technology delivers an average of 44% fuel savings and slashes airline operating costs by 28-35%, significantly scaling up cargo capacity and mission range without doubling crew requirements or fuel burn.
The regulatory challenge
Currently, glider regulations in Europe are strictly limited to recreational leisure aircraft under 850 kg; commercial cargo towing is completely unregulated. Although aviation is regulated at the European Union level and Estonia cannot change the regulations independently, we can drive European-wide regulatory reform by acting as the primary testbed for this novel aviation service.
In April, Aerolane initiated a collaboration with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to map out a permanent regulatory framework for this novel aviation model.