Global Advisory Board to Guide Heart Electric Aircraft as Design Changes and Investment Grows

Swedish company Heart Aerospace has established an Industry Advisory Board, comprising of 21 airlines, lessors and airports from around the world, to guide development of its electric regional aircraft and pave the way for the implementation of electric aircraft operations.

Members are Mexican regional airline Aerus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Sweden’s Braathens Regional Airlines, aircraft lessor CDB Aviation, Cebu Pacific of the Philippines, New Zealand’s Christchurch Airport, Danish airline DAT, Icelandair, London City Airport, Mesa Air Group of the US, US regional Republic Airways, lessor Rockton, SAS, European airline Sevenair, Sounds Air of New Zealand, Swedish airport operator Swedavia, Toki Air of Japan, United Airlines, Vmo Aircraft Leasing and New Zealand’s Wellington Airport.

The board will assist Heart in defining the requirements of its ES-30 electric aircraft, which will be driven by electric motors powered by batteries, resulting in zero operational emissions and low noise.

“We aim to electrify regional air travel, but we cannot do this alone. Decarbonising air travel requires a collective effort,” says Anders Forslund, founder and CEO. “With our partnerships we can impact the entire aviation ecosystem, from creating more efficient airplanes to enabling more accessible airports,” he adds.

Formation of the board follows a recent redesign of Heart’s aircraft, from a 19-seat ES-19 design to the 30-seat ES-30. At the same time, Heart has secured a US$5 million investment each from Air Canada and Swedish aerospace group Saab.

As well as the investment, Air Canada has committed to a purchase order for 30 aircraft. United Airlines and Mesa Air Group had already ordered 200 aircraft with options on a further 100, with those commitments to be carried over to the larger ES-30. Nordic airlines Braathens, Icelandair and SAS, along with New Zealand regional Sounds Air have updated their letters of intent for the ES-30, while lessor Rockton has signed a LoI for up to 40. Total LoIs now stand at 96.

The all-electric ES-30 will feature a three-abreast cabin configuration, a galley and a toilet, with cabin stowage and overhead bins as well as a large external baggage and cargo compartment. The vehicle will feature a reserve-hybrid configuration comprising two turbo generators powered by sustainable aviation fuel, which can be used during longer flights to complement the battery power. The aircraft will have a fully electric range of 200km, an extended range of 400km with 30 passengers and the flexibility to fly up to 800km with 25 passengers.

Heart is targeting 2026 for ES-30 test flights, with deliveries in 2028. The ES-30 will be produced at Save Airport in Gothenburg, where Heart plans to establish an electric aircraft industry, with offices, production and flight test facilities, says Forslund. Gothenburg is already a well-established centre for electric transport research and development.