The ES-30 seats 30-passengers and can fly up to 400 kilometers in fully electric mode with zero operational emissions and low noise.

It is on track to be available for service by 2026.

Heart Aerospace founder and CEO Anders Forslund says the company aims to electrify regional air travel.

“But cannot do this alone. Decarbonizing air travel requires a collective effort,” he says.

“Our partnership with Christchurch Airport means we can impact the entire aviation ecosystem from creating more efficient airplanes to enabling more accessible airports. All of which bring convenience, affordability and responsibility to the flying public.”

Christchurch Airport, Air New Zealand, Sounds Air and Wellington Airport are on the 21-member Board that will offer advice to Heart Aerospace.

The members of the Industry Advisory Board will assist in defining the requirements for the ES-30 and their input will aid in the development and shorten the time to entry into service.

Christchurch Airport General Manager – Sustainability and Planning Nick Flack says the airport team is delighted to be part of the Industry Advisory Board.

“No one is in denial – aviation needs to decarbonise and globally there is an enormous effort to do so. Heart Aerospace’s ES-30 is a good example of the new generation of low and no carbon aircraft that are in development. We are 100% committed to doing all we can to get these to market,” he says.

“It’s great to see a strong contingent of New Zealand businesses on the Industry Advisory Board. It highlights that Kiwi ingenuity is sought after and respected globally.

“By working together, we help Heart Aerospace make the ES-30 even more efficient and ensure we see it in Aotearoa’s skies soon,” says Nick.

About Christchurch Airport

Christchurch Airport was the first airport in the world to achieve Level 4 decarbonisation accreditation under the Airports Council International programme – the highest accreditation an airport can achieve.

It’s now working to enable other businesses, including airlines, to decarbonise at the fastest possible rate. 

A core focus is on developing renewable energy precinct Kōwhai Park on 400-hectares of land just behind its runways to power the new generations of electric and green hydrogen aircraft – including Heart Aerospace’s ES-30.

Additional information on the ES-30

The ES-30 is a regional electric airplane with a seating capacity of 30 passengers driven by electric motors powered by batteries, allowing the airplane to operate with zero operational emissions and low noise. 

The airplane will also include a reserve-hybrid configuration, consisting of two turbo generators powered by sustainable aviation fuel. The reserve-hybrid system is installed to secure reserve energy requirements without cannibalizing battery range, and it can also be used during cruise on longer flights to complement the electrical power provided by the batteries. 

The ES-30 will have a fully electric zero emissions range of 200 kilometres, an extended range of 400 kilometres with 30 passengers, and flexibility to fly up to 800 kilometres with 25 passengers, all including typical airline reserves.

You can find out more at www.heartaerospace.com