Minnesota Electric Aviation Network (MEAN) Study

Stakeholder Engagement Summary

Stakeholder education and feedback are critical to the success of the MEAN Study. To support this, MnDOT Aeronautics hosted six in-person meetings across the state of Minnesota in January and February 2025. These sessions facilitated meaningful dialogue and gathered valuable input from a broad range of stakeholders, including airport sponsors and staff, aviation users, and businesses operating at Minnesota airports.

Meeting Participation Highlights:

• 70+ attendees representing:
  • 26 Airports
  • 11 Aviation Businesses
  • 6 Consulting Firms
  • 4 Utility Providers
  • 3 Neighboring State Departments of Transportation
  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
    
    

In addition to these meetings, the project team has engaged stakeholders through multiple outreach channels, including:

• The MEAN Survey
• One-on-one discussions with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of electric aircraft, charging systems, and propulsion technologies
• Coordination with airport utility providers
• Interviews with airports and aviation businesses across Minnesota
• Strategic conversations with neighboring state DOTs, educational institutions, consulting firms, and the FAA
  
  

Outreach to airports and utility providers remains ongoing, with the goal of gathering data from as many Minnesota airports as possible.

This comprehensive engagement has informed two key analyses of Minnesota’s readiness for electric aviation: supply and demand.

• Supply Analysis evaluates airport infrastructure and airport electric power supply.
• Demand Analysis considers electric aircraft use cases, airport activity levels, regional demographics, and stakeholder feedback.
  
  

Each analysis uses a set of weighted evaluation criteria, which together generate a total readiness score for each airport. The highest-scoring airports will form the foundation of the MEAN.

Project Status (as of May 2025):

• Demand analysis: Complete
• Supply analysis: Nearing completion
  
  

Next Steps:

• Final outreach to airports and utility providers
• Completion of the supply analysis
• Finalization of the MEAN airport list
• Development of final study deliverables (expected by end of June 2025)
  
  

For questions or additional information, please contact:

• Joseph Block, MnDOT Advanced Air Mobility Program Manager: Joseph.Block@state.mn.us
• John Coliton, Kimley-Horn Project Manager: John.Coliton@kimley-horn.com

Why electric aviation?

Electric aircraft technology represents a transformative shift in the aviation industry and transportation landscape. Unlike traditional aircraft that rely on internal combustion engines, electric aircraft use batteries and electric motors, offering a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to air transportation. As the technology matures, electric aviation solutions have the potential to reduce carbon emissions, lower operating costs, and decrease noise pollution across various aviation use cases.

Although still in the early stages, advancements in battery technology and electric propulsion systems are prompting manufacturers worldwide to develop electric aircraft, batteries, powertrains, and charging solutions. At the same time, airports, businesses, and aviation stakeholders are preparing for this industry shift by incorporating electric aviation operations, infrastructure, and economic opportunities into strategic planning initiatives.

Why Minnesota?

The Minnesota state aviation system is comprised of 133 public-use airports, including nine commercial service and 124 general aviation facilities. Existing activities at Minnesota's airports offer practical opportunities to integrate electric aviation, including pilot training, regional air travel, medical transportation, and short-haul cargo operations. These opportunities will enhance sustainable aviation in both metropolitan areas and rural communities, leveraging the state’s robust airport infrastructure and thriving industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism.

Why the MEAN?

MnDOT is committed to its Vision of a multimodal transportation system that maximizes the health of people, the environment, and the economy. As a leader in innovation and sustainability, MnDOT recognizes the impending industry disruption spurred by electric aviation and advanced air mobility (AAM) and is proactively planning for the future of Minnesota’s aviation system. The MEAN Study is intended to serve as a pragmatic starting point in preparing for future aviation technologies, providing an opportunity to foster further growth of the state’s transportation system and establish Minnesota as a leader in sustainable aviation.