Page 26 - mro-business-today-15-09-2024

SUSTAINABLE AVIATION

Loganair and Heart Aerospace to advance

Hybrid-Electric aviation

bitious goal to achieve net zero emissions
This partnership focuses on deploying the ES-30 across across its operations by 2040.”
Loganair’s extensive network, which spans the Scottish Strategic Collaboration and Industry
Highlands and broader UK regions. Impact of the deal
The partnership will see Heart Aero-
space and Loganair collaborating on
identifying practical applications for
the ES-30 within Loganair’s network.
This initiative will also involve engaging
with Scottish and UK government bod-
ies, as well as airports, to showcase the
benefits of hybrid-electric propulsion.
Furthermore, Loganair will join Heart
Aerospace’s Industry Advisory Board,
which comprises global stakeholders
dedicated to advancing the electrifica-
tion of air travel.
Luke Farajallah, CEO, Loganair, highlight-
ed the significance of the collaboration,
“This is a transformative moment for both
oganair and Heart Aerospace have ing the integration of various power Loganair and the future of sustainable
Lannounced a critical partnership sources to maximize efficiency. Beyond regional flying in the UK. Our partnership
to introduce hybrid-electric aircraft to the technical challenges of batteries with Heart Aerospace aligns with our
the UK’s domestic flight network. This and propulsion, there are regulatory commitment to reducing aviation emis-
exclusive collaboration targets the and infrastructure hurdles. sions and marks a major step towards a
decarbonization of regional aviation, several companies are working toward greener future for UK regional aviation.”
aligning with Loganair’s ambitious envi- the hybrid-electric aircraft develop-
ronmental goals and Heart Aerospace’s ment. Boeing is developing a hybrid- Technical Specifications and Market
vision for sustainable air travel, says the electric propulsion system, modifying a Potential
official from both entities. test aircraft and supporting GE Avia- The ES-30 is designed with flex-
Loganair, the UK’s largest regional tion’s megawatt-class system. Sikorsky ibility in mind, offering a fully electric
airline by passenger numbers and fleet is working on a hybrid-electric VTOL zero-emissions range of 200 kilome-
size, will work closely with Swedish demonstrator, the Sikorsky Autonomy ters, an extended hybrid range of 400
innovator Heart Aerospace to integrate Research Aircraft (SARA), based on kilometers with 30 passengers, and the
the ES-30 hybrid-electric aircraft into the S-76B. ZeroAvia recently tested capability to fly up to 800 kilometers
its operations. The partnership focuses a hydrogen-electric powertrain in a with 25 passengers, all while including
on deploying the ES-30 across Loga- Dornier 228, replacing one turboprop typical airline reserves.
nair’s extensive network, which spans with a prototype system. Heart Aerospace has already secured
the Scottish Highlands and broader At the heart of this collaboration is 250 firm orders for the ES-30, with
UK regions, offering a new model for the ES-30, an advanced hybrid-electric additional options and purchase rights
greener aviation. aircraft designed by Heart Aerospace to for another 120 aircraft, and has let-
carry up to 30 passengers. This aircraft ters of intent for a further 191 planes.
Hybrid-Electric Aviation: Looking into is anticipated to be crucial in reducing This robust order book underscores
the Future carbon emissions and providing a more the growing demand and confidence
In a hybrid configuration, an aircraft cost-effective, sustainable alternative in hybrid-electric technology for the
utilizes multiple energy sources during to traditional regional flights. future of aviation.
flight, either simultaneously or sequen- Simon Newitt, President & CCO of Heart As Loganair and Heart Aerospace chart
tially. Combining jet fuel or sustainable Aerospace, expressed enthusiasm about a new course for regional air travel, this
aviation fuels with electricity optimizes the partnership, “This collaboration is an partnership not only promises to reduce
overall energy efficiency and reduces important step in our mission to make the carbon footprint of aviation but also
fuel consumption. air travel more sustainable and we look sets a precedent for the integration of
Designing and optimizing hybrid forward to bringing clean and convenient innovative propulsion technologies in
propulsion systems is complex, involv- solutions to Loganair in support of its am- the industry.

26 15 Sept, 2024 www.mrobusinesstoday.com