World's first fully electric commercial plane takes flight in Canada

The world's first electric commercial aircraft (Picture: AP)

An all-electric power seaplane has carried out its first test flight in what operators are describing as a “world first”.

The six-passenger DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver flew for 15 minutes after taking off from Vancouver.

The companies involved, Harbour Air and magniX, said it was a first step to building the “world’s first all-electric commercial fleet”.

“This historic flight signifies the start of the third era in aviation - the electric age,” Harbour Air and magniX said in a statement.

The world's first electric commercial aircraft (AP)

Launched at the Paris Air Show earlier this year, Australian company magniX said its propulsion system aims to provide a “clean and efficient way to power airplanes”.

Canadian seaplane operator Harbour Air hopes to electrify its entire fleet by 2022.