Scholes International Airport Charges into the Future ofAviation

For more than 90 years, Scholes International Airport has played an important role along the Texas Gulf Coast. Since opening in 1932, the airport has supported a wide range of operations, from transporting workers to offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of America to hosting medical, military, corporate and recreational flights.

Electric vehicle charging equipment housed in a large gray-and-white cabinet mounted on a raised concrete pad. Four black protective bollards surround the unit, which displays the word “CHARGE” and a lightning bolt symbol on the front panel.
The first electric aircraft charger in Texas, installed at Scholes International Airport.

Now, Scholes International Airport has added another distinction to its long history, becoming the first airport in Texas to install an electric aircraft charging station.

The charger, manufactured by BETA Technologies, became operational in early 2025 and marks an important step toward the future of aviation infrastructure in Texas. Designed to support electric aircraft and electric ground vehicles using the Combined Charging Standard (CCS), the system is compatible with a growing number of manufacturers and operators across the electric aviation industry.

Airport officials say the opportunity came after BETA Technologies contacted Scholes while expanding its network of aircraft charging stations throughout Texas. From there, the project moved quickly.

“We were interested from the beginning,” said Mike Shahan, airport director at Scholes International Airport. “For us, it was an opportunity to get in early on infrastructure that we believe will be essential to the next generation of aviation.”

For Galveston, a city known for being home to many Texas firsts, the project fits naturally into its history. From the state’s first post office and opera house to its first hospital, innovation has long been part of the community’s identity. Airport leaders say becoming the first airport in Texas with an electric aircraft charging station continues that tradition while positioning Scholes for the future.

The charger’s interoperability is one of its most significant features. Rather than being limited to a single aircraft manufacturer, the CCS system allows Scholes to support electric aircraft from multiple original equipment manufacturers, along with electric ground vehicles such as trucks, vans and passenger vehicles. As electric aviation operations continue developing across Texas, airport officials believe that flexibility will become increasingly important.

“As electric vehicles become more commonplace — both on the ground and in the air — we expect demand to continue building,” Shahan said. “Being early means we’re already part of the conversation when operators are planning routes.”

Implementing the technology on a barrier island along the Gulf Coast came with unique challenges. Because the airport sits within a flood zone, a traditional charger installation would not work. BETA’s engineering team developed a custom elevated platform that raised the electrical equipment above flood risk, creating a design specifically adapted for coastal conditions.

Elevated electrical equipment platform constructed of galvanized steel, with multiple utility cabinets mounted on the deck and a staircase leading to the access platform. Electrical conduits run from the equipment down to a concrete pad below.
Designed for coastal conditions, the elevated charging station raises electrical equipment above flood risk at Scholes International Airport.

What began as a solution for Scholes has since gained attention beyond Galveston. The elevated charging design has been requested at other airports, turning the Scholes installation into a proof of concept for electric aviation infrastructure in flood-prone regions.

The project also demonstrated how emerging aviation technology can be integrated into existing airport operations with minimal disruption. Shahan noted that BETA’s project management team handled everything from site assessments and utility coordination to Federal Aviation Administration notices, permitting, construction and commissioning.

Electric vehicle charging station serving two parking spaces outlined with bright green striping in a paved parking lot. A charging unit stands between the spaces.
Electric vehicle charging stations at Scholes International Airport.

Scholes International Airport is already preparing for what comes next. One of the airport’s planned infrastructure upgrades involves battery thermal management systems designed to cool aircraft batteries between flights as operations increase and turnaround times shorten. The technology will become especially important in the Gulf Coast environment, where high temperatures and humidity create additional operational demands.

While electric aviation is still in its early stages, Scholes International Airport has already established itself as part of the foundation supporting the future growth in Texas.

“Galveston has always been a gateway — to the gulf, to the offshore industry and to millions of visitors every year,” said Shahan. “Having the first electric aircraft charger in Texas at an airport that’s been operating since 1932 says something about this community’s willingness to lead.”