Heart Aerospace's Electric Flight Partnership with Åland Islands

Heart Aerospace is eyeing the Åland Islands as a potential hub for its ES-30 electric regional aircraft. 

The Swedish electric aircraft manufacturer recently unveiled a partnership aimed at advancing electric flight operations across the Baltic Sea, joining forces with the Government of Åland, a Swedish-speaking autonomous region within Finland.

The Åland Islands constitute a captivating archipelago of approximately 6,500 isles nestled in the Baltic Sea, gracefully bridging the gap between Sweden and Finland. Of these islands, approximately 60-80 are inhabited by a population of roughly 30,000 residents. The majority, about 70%, reside in Mariehamn, which serves as the archipelago's capital.

Mariehamn, the heart of Åland, boasts proximity to major Scandinavian cities. Situated at a mere distance of approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Stockholm, Sweden's capital, and equidistant from Turku, Finland's third-largest city, Åland enjoys a strategic geographical location, making it an ideal locale for regional aircraft operations.

The collaborative accord struck between the Government of Åland and Heart Aerospace endeavors to ascertain the feasibility of employing Heart's ES-30 regional aircraft to establish sustainable air services for the island cluster. Simon Newitt, Chief Commercial Officer of Heart Aerospace, expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, stating, "This is a significant step in the development of the ES-30 as it allows us to focus on the operating infrastructure required in support of zero-emissions flying out of Mariehamn. We look forward to working together with the Government of Åland to make this a reality."

An illustration of Åland's suitability as a test site for electric aircraft operations can be gleaned from a recent flight route between Mariehamn and Helsinki. Flight AY214, operated by Nordic Regional Airlines, departed Mariehamn Airport (MHQ) at 21:15 and touched down at Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL) at 21:51. Given the route's relatively short distance and regional context, it was serviced by a turboprop aircraft, specifically an ATR 72-500 registered as OH-ATE.

In contrast, Heart Aerospace's ES-30 is being developed as a regional electric aircraft with a standard seating capacity of 30 passengers, a notable departure from the ATR 72-500's 70-seat configuration. The ES-30 promises a fully electric, zero-emissions range of 200 kilometers (124 miles), rendering Stockholm and Turku easily accessible from Mariehamn.

Moreover, Heart's announcement highlights that the ES-30 boasts an extended range of 400 kilometers (248 miles) when carrying 30 passengers, with the flexibility to cover distances of up to 800 kilometers with 25 passengers, factoring in standard airline reserves. Given these capabilities, the 282-kilometer, 36-minute flight between Mariehamn and Helsinki emerges as an attractive target for the ES-30, aligning perfectly with the goal of zero-emission aviation.