Loganair, which describes itself as the UK’s largest regional airline, noted Heart Aerospace is developing the ES-30, a hybrid-electric aircraft with the capacity to carry up to 30 passengers.
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The airline said: “The ES-30 has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions while offering cost-effective and accessible air travel.”
Asked if “use cases” referred to cases for using this aircraft on certain Loganair routes, a spokeswoman for the Glasgow-based airline said: “In terms of use cases, Loganair will be looking at its entire route network and in reality the new aircraft could operate across any of the routes in place today.”
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On whether there was any approximate timescale for when Loganair might be using these planes, she replied: “We would hope to see these in operation by the end of this decade.”
Loganair said: “As part of the partnership, Loganair and Heart will work together to explore use cases for the ES-30 as well as engaging with the Scottish and UK Governments and airports, to promote and highlight the benefits of this innovative form of propulsion.
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“The ES-30 will have a fully electric zero-emissions range of 200km (kilometres) and an extended hybrid range of 400km with 30 passengers on board. With 25 passengers on board, the aircraft has the potential to achieve a range of 800km.”
The Scottish airline observed Heart Aerospace is the only hybrid-electric aircraft manufacturer with which it is collaborating.
Loganair noted it would also join Heart Aerospace’s industry advisory board, which includes a range of airlines, governments, leasing companies, and airports from all over the world, “committed to supporting the electrification of air travel”.
Luke Farajallah, chief executive officer of Loganair, said: “This is a very exciting and significant moment for Loganair and for the future of sustainable UK regional flying. This exclusive collaboration with Heart Aerospace brings together two organisations who share a passion to see aviation emissions reduce in a realistic and meaningful way, and we definitely see the ES-30 as being a strong contender to emerge as one of the leaders in this space.
“At Loganair we are very proud of our environmental work and achievements to date, and we see this as the next logical step along the path to a greener future for UK regional aviation.”
Simon Newitt, president and chief commercial officer of Heart Aerospace, said: “Loganair has been a champion of regional aviation for decades, and we’re thrilled to partner with them to bring cleaner air travel to the UK.
“This collaboration is an important step in our mission to make air travel more sustainable and we look forward to bringing clean and convenient solutions to Loganair in support of its ambitious goal to achieve net zero emissions across its operations by 2040.”