Aero Island Denmark

Aero Island is one of Denmark's Baltic Sea islands, part of Southern Denmark (2007-established administrative region). The island covers a total area of approx 88 km2 (34 ml2) and has population around 7,000.

Island's name comes from the Danish "aer" (maple) and "o" (island). Since January 1, 2006, Aero Island is a single municipality. Prior to 2006, it had 2 separate municipalities - Marstal (in the east) and Aeroskobing (in the west).

Aeroskobing, with its narrow lanes and pretty 18th-century houses, was island's main town and still remains its principal port (and main cruise/ferry port), largest town and commercial center.

With its low traffic density, Aero Island is a popular travel destination for cycling and hiking. The beaches also attract numerous tourists, mainly from mainland Denmark. As one of the isles making up South Funen archipelago, Aero is favored by fine weather, offering most sunshine hours in comparison to the rest of Denmark. The year-round temperature is a few degrees above country's average. Aero is the only Danish Baltic Sea island not linked to mainland Denmark via bridge. There are car ferries from Aero to Funen, Langeland and Als. Island's airport is located near Marstal.

On January 28, 2015, "Horizon 2020" (EU's research and innovation program 2014-2020) administration confirmed the EUR 17 million application for a demonstration E-ferry project. The objective of Europe's "Green Ferry Vision" is to perform a study for design, construction/building and operation of innovative low-weight ferries (for passengers and cars) powered only by green electricity stored in batteries.

World's currently most powerful all-electric (plug-in) ferryboat "Ellen" was officially christened on June 1, 2019. It operates on the 22 nautical miles (25 ml / 41 km) crossing route between Aero and Fynshav. It is 7 times the length of any other route now served by an all-electric (plug-in) ferryboat. Vessel's naming ceremony was held at Soby Shipyard (in Soby, Aero Island's northernmost town). The E-ferry Ellen has LOA length 60 m, width 13 m, cruising speed 13-15,5 knots (max 29 kph/18 mph), passenger capacity 198 (during summer) and 147 (during winter months), cargo capacity 31 cars (or 5 trucks) parked on an open deck, battery pack 4,3 MWh. Ellen is also world's first electric ferry without an emergency back-up generator.

Aero Island Denmark cruise terminal