Harbour Air aims for electric fleet by 2026

Canada-based seaplane operator Harbour Air has signed a letter of intent with Everett, Wash.-based electric aircraft manufacturer magniX to buy 50 electric engines, which will cover its entire fleet. The refitted fleet is scheduled to become operational in 2026. Electrifying aircraft engines typically can reduce carbon emissions by 49% to 88%, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation . [caption id="attachment_57143237" align="alignleft" width="355"] (Courtesy/Harbour Air)[/caption] “ Electric flight addresses the need to innovate zero-carbon emissions flight that enables us to pass on a healthy planet to future generations,” Michael Kearns , spokesperson for magniX, told Air Cargo Next . “It provides lower operating costs while delivering superior performance, increased reliability and exceptional altitude and climb performance. It also connects a wider range of communities through low-cost, point-to-point travel.” Neither Harbour Air nor magniX disclosed to Air Cargo Next the cost of the engines. Harbour Air began flying customers to remote areas of Canada with its fleet of seaplanes in the 1980s, but quickly expanded to flying air cargo, including medical supplies, a Harbour Air spokesperson told Air Cargo Next . “Whether it’s medication to a remote village, time-sensitive legal documents or a sick pet, Harbour Air transports millions of pounds of freight every year on all of its scheduled flights as well as using dedicated charter aircraft for larger contractual freight shipments,” the carrier’s website states. Harbour Air will electrify its entire fleet as a step toward becoming carbon neutral , according to an April 22 release from magniX. Because Harbour Air flights are typically less than 30 minutes, electrifying its fleet makes sense for the carrier and for the environment, the Harbour Air spokesperson said. Harbour Air first contracted with magniX in 2019 when the carrier retrofitted its DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver and converted the engine to a 750-horsepower, all-electric motor, magniX’s Kearns said. Within 10 months, Harbour Air successfully tested the flight with the electric retrofit, Kearns said. Future of electric flight There are challenges to electric flight, but the industry is working to overcome them, Kearns said. “ Electric flight brings lower operating and maintenance costs, and electric aircraft are able to spend more time in service,” he said. “The energy density of batteries has been a limitation on range, but that technology is evolving rapidly, and we are certain to see ranges increase.” Building on this strategy, Harbour Air says it will become the first all-electric commercial airline at the completion of its fleet conversion with magniX, the Harbour Air spokesperson said. “ In 2022, Harbour Air’s eBeaver flew its first direct all-electric point-to-point test flight with magniX engines flying 45 miles in 24 minutes with plenty of power in reserve,” Kearns said. “That’s within the range of most Harbour Air routes but certainly not indicative of the potential of electric flight. The range of electric aircraft will continue to expand.” NASA gave magniX a $74 million grant in 2023 for its electric powertrain flight demonstration program to help accelerate electric aviation, Kearns said. “The program will result in replacing two of a de Havilland Dash 7’s four turbine engines with magni650 powertrains to demonstrate that large airplanes can be electrified,” he said. Commercial-scale aircraft are not ready to be fully electrified; however, that time is coming, Kearns added. “Of course, different programs have different timelines for entry into service,” he said. While commuter, regional and narrowbody aircraft may be ready for electrification from 2035 on, it will likely be 2090 before widebody aircraft can integrate fully electric engines, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation. Air Cargo Next has launched a business directory listing cargo carriers, service providers and technology companies. Each category has sub-categories, allowing users to find the right business to meet their needs. Users can also add their businesses to the directory and claim existing entries. Visit the Air Cargo Next Directory here.

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