LISBON, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- The International Flight Academy (IFA) in Viseu, Portugal, has integrated the Pipistrel Velis Electro, the first fully electric aircraft certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), into its training fleet, according to Portugal's Lusa News Agency.

IFA Executive Director Jose Madeira highlighted the aircraft's economic and environmental benefits, reducing flight costs from 150 euros (165 U.S. dollars) per hour for conventional planes to just 7-8 euros per hour.

Despite the aircraft's limited battery capacity, Madeira emphasized its potential for early-stage flight training.

The academy, which operates across Viseu and Cascais, aims to invest further in electric aviation as part of a greener future, though Madeira noted hydrogen technology could play a larger role in long-haul aviation.

The IFA's Viseu branch hosts about 60 students from 11 nationalities, while its main headquarters in Cascais accommodates around 200. Since 2019, the academy has trained 40 pilots. Enditem

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