Under the agreement, magniX will provide Transport Canada with a support plan for type certificate validation of the magni650 also providing certification assistance for Harbour Air to secure Canadian and US STCs for the installation.
Harbour Air, North America’s largest seaplane airline, unveiled a landmark arrangement today when it announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with magniX, a leading innovator in the field of electric aviation propulsion. The deal includes the procurement of 50 magni650 electric engines, a major step toward Harbour Air’s ambitious goal of electrifying its fleet and embracing sustainable aviation.
Under the agreement, magniX will provide Transport Canada with a support plan for type certificate validation of the magni650. They will also provide certification assistance that will be needed for Harbour Air to secure Canadian and US STCs for the installation of the magni650 on the DHC-2 Beaver. In addition, there is an option to extend the support plan to other aircraft platforms.
“We are excited to accelerate the adoption of electric aviation technology and further our journey towards a sustainable future,” said Bert van der Stege, CEO, Harbour Air. “The agreement with magniX underscores our commitment to revolutionize commercial aviation with electric propulsion and to pave the way for cleaner, quieter, and more efficient air travel,” he further added.
An important ingredient of the electrification vision of Harbour Air is the development of a west coast sustainable aviation hub. The hub will provide electrification conversions and services to third parties while contributing significantly to the broader goal of sustainable aviation. Today’s arrangement with magniX is instrumental in bringing that vision to fruition by providing a solid foundation of electric engines for the Harbour Air fleet and the engines it sells to its third-party clientele.
“Electrifying Harbour Air’s fleet and future customers with magniX’s engines sets us on a course to define the future of regional flight,” said Riona Armesmith, Chief Technology Officer, magniX. “The many flights that the eBeaver has now completed with magniX’s technology are a signal that the electric age of aviation is here and bringing it to the marketplace is growing rapidly closer,” he further added.
The Harbour Air and magniX partnership has been in development since early 2019 and has been in an enviable position as pioneers of electric aviation. Indeed, the world’s first fully electric commercial aircraft made a historic maiden flight at Richmond, BC, on December 10, 2019. Since then, Harbour Air has operated 78 successful test flights with its prototype, demonstrating the practical feasibility and technologic advancement in electric aviation.
“Harbour Air’s commitment to electrifying its fleet aligns with our province’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable transportation options,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, British Columbia.“This initiative, including providing electrification services to other companies, showcases British Columbia’s leadership in supporting innovative solutions that contribute to a cleaner environment and a greener economy,” he further added.
Harbour Air’s decision to take steps towards electrifying its fleet is consistent with British Columbia’s intention to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and adopt sustainable transportation systems. Indeed, British Columbia’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Rob Fleming, recognized Harbour Air’s initiative, where he said that the province takes a lead in supporting innovative solutions that will lead to a cleaner environment and a greener economy.
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Electrification of Harbour Air’s fleet is set to be done in record time. Indeed, it has set an ambitious timeline where it intends to receive certification for its first electric aircraft in 2026. After certification, the company intends to electrify the rest of its aircraft in its fleet and to convert third-party aircraft to accommodate the mainstream adoption of electric aviation. This is one of many clear signs that Harbour Air is committed to sustainability and has a pioneering role in the future of aviation, an environmentally-friendly industry.
