The collaboration will explore operational needs, technical requirements, ground infrastructure and maintenance, and business models of Region Gotland.
Region Gotland has entered into a collaboration agreement with Heart Aerospace, a manufacturer of hybrid-electric airplanes to accelerate the implementation of sustainable air travel. Heart Aerospace has secured 250 orders for the ES-30, with options and purchase rights for another 120 airplanes and letters of intent for a further 191 airplanes. the collaboration will explore operational needs, technical requirements, ground infrastructure and maintenance, and business models of Region Gotland.
Region Gotland aims to have at least one operator flying commercially with electric aircraft from the island. This initiative aligns with broader objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the region’s attractiveness. A roadmap for the introduction of electric aviation in Gotland has been developed by Science Park Gotland in the spring of 2024, on the initiative of Region Gotland, Gotland’s business community, and the electric aviation industry.
Meit Fohlin, Social Democrats, Chair of the Regional Executive Board said, “On Gotland, we are entirely dependent on air and ferry traffic to and from the island, and we must be able to travel sustainably. This decision to deepen the collaboration with Heart Aerospace is an important milestone in our journey towards sustainable communications,”
Heart Aerospace is advancing the ES-30, a regional hybrid-electric aircraft designed to accommodate 30 passengers, setting a new standard for sustainability and efficiency in short-haul flights. Featuring a fully electric zero-emission capability covering 200 kilometers, complemented by an extended hybrid range of 400 kilometers, the ES-30 offers lower emissions and operating costs.
Anders Forslund, co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace, said, “Heart Aerospace has just entered an exciting new phase of hardware testing, and our aim is to have a hybrid-electric passenger plane on the market before the end of this decade. As we get closer to this goal, collaborations with airports, operators and regional authorities are crucial to ensure the ecosystem needed to support electric aviation. We look forward to working together with Region Gotland to make this a reality.”
Also Read: Ashley Lutrell joins SNC as NC3 Programs VP
Situated off the southeast coast of mainland Sweden, Gotland hosts around 61,000 permanent residents, a number swelling significantly during summer due to its status as one of Sweden’s premier holiday spots. Ensuring dependable and sustainable transportation is essential for maintaining accessibility and fostering growth on the island, underscoring the importance of this initiative for regional development.
