[ams6110]

> airlines can pocket the difference as profit

Air travel is intensely competitive in most areas, and customers generally have very little "brand loyalty" and buy almost entirely based on price. The difference in expenses should result in lower fares.

And it is yet unknown whether the extra cost of flying tons of batteries around (they weigh the same when depleted, as opposed to jet fueled aircraft which become lighter as they use up fuel), and the extra cost of those batteries, and maintenance/replacement of them, will net out to be significantly cheaper than using conventional jet fuel.

[woodandsteel]

I could be wrong, but I am guessing that batteries + electric motors will be both cheaper and need a lot less maintenance than jet engines plus fuel tanks and pumps.