Swedish electric aeroplane maker Heart Aerospace has unveiled significant design updates to its first electric aircraft and confirmed Air Canada and Saab, the Swedish aerospace and defence company, as new minority shareholders.
The new design, called the ES-30, is a regional electric airplane with a capacity of 30 passengers and replaces the company’s earlier 19-seat design, the ES-19.
Zero emissions
It is driven by electric motors powered by batteries, which allows the airplane to operate with zero emissions and low noise.
Air Canada and Saab have each invested $5 million in Heart Aerospace. In addition to its investment, Air Canada has also placed a purchase order for 30 ES-30 aircraft.
“We are thrilled to have two such strong partners as Saab and Air Canada join our mission to electrify regional air travel. Growing up in Sweden, Saab is synonymous with aerospace, and our partnership will not only support our programme, but help us to become a part of the proud Swedish aerospace heritage,” said Anders Forslund, founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace.
“Air Canada is a strategically important partner with one of the world’s largest networks operated by regional turboprops, and as a progressive, future leaning company.”
‘Cleaner and greener aviation future’
“Air Canada is very pleased to partner with Heart Aerospace on the development of this revolutionary aircraft. We have been working hard with much success to reduce our footprint, but we know that meeting our net-zero emissions goals will require new technology such as the ES-30. We have every confidence that the team at Heart Aerospace has the expertise to deliver on the ES-30’s promise of a cleaner and greener aviation future,” said Michael Rousseau, president and chief executive of Air Canada.
Previous orders for Heart Aerospace’s ES-19 electric airplane, placed by United Airlines and Mesa Air Group for a total of 200 electric aircraft with an option for an additional 100 planes, are reconfirmed for the updated ES-30 design.
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