YANGYANG, Gangwon Province — Electric aircraft operator Toff Mobility on Monday flew its Velis Electro aircraft over Yangyang International Airport on the eastern coast of Gangwon Province, marking the first time an electric plane has taken off from a commercial airport in Korea. The aircraft flew about 15 minutes circling above the airport through gust that slightly shook the plane. With its two lithium-ion batteries fully charged, the plane can fly for up to 80 minutes covering a diatance of 200 kilometers. The demonstration followed the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology’s certification of the plane’s commercial license last November under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It came after the commercialization of electric aviation in Europe and Australia in 2020 and in the United States in 2024. Jaden Jung, CEO of Toff Mobility, said the flight marked “a new milestone in the Korean aviation industry.” Inside the Yangyang airport terminal during the day was nearly deserted, with only two passenger flights scheduled for the entire day. Many regional
