When emissions from the aviation industry is frying the planet to a crisp, United Airlines has just inked an electric airplane deal that could bring zero emission flight to the masses, just in the nick of time.
The new electric aircraft deal hooks up the newly minted United Airlines Ventures investment fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mesa Airlines, and Heart Aerospace. The initial agreement calls for Heart to deliver 100 of its ES-19 zero emission aircraft.
Heart Aerospace is developing the ES-19, a 19-seat electric aircraft that has the potential to fly customers up to 250 miles before the end of this decade, possibly by 2026.
In addition to UAV’s investment, United Airlines has conditionally agreed to purchase 100 ES-19 aircraft, once the aircraft meet United’s safety, business and operating requirements.
Mesa Airlines, United’s key strategic partner in bringing electric aircraft into commercial service, has also agreed to add 100 ES-19 aircraft to its fleet, subject to similar requirements.
In terms of climate action the deal is especially interesting because it does not rely on carbon offsets, which is the conventional way for airline companies to “decarbonize.”
With this new agreement, United Airlines is deepening its bold commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 100% by 2050 without relying on traditional carbon offsets, as well as enabling the growth of Heart Aerospace and participating in the development of aircraft that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from flying.
Reference – United Newsroom, Electrek, PR Newswire, Interesting Engineering