Regional airline Sounds Air, which operates scheduled services at Wānaka Airport, has been named on a new industry advisory board to help fast-track the release of Heart Aerospace’s (Sweden) electric aircraft, the ES-30.

The aircraft, which can fly up to 400 kilometres in fully electric mode with zero emissions, is on track to be available for service from 2028. 

Returning from the hangar launch of the ES-30 in Sweden last week, Sounds Air Group board chair and director Rhyan Wardman told the Wānaka App “it was a great opportunity for interested parties in the decarbonated aviation space to come together and get the latest update”.

“For us it is a big jump to go to a 30 seater, however the launch is slated for 2028 which realistically means 2030 for us here in New Zealand and that affords us enough time to grow into that product,” he said.

The New Zealand contingent at the Heart Aerospace hangar launch in Sweden last week.

“We certainly see regional connectivity as likely to increase with this technology and we’re excited that this solution, as a potentially zero emission aircraft, will be good for us in the fullness of time.”

Christchurch Airport (CIAL), Air New Zealand, and Wellington Airport are also on the 21-member board and attended the launch along with New Zealand’s ambassador to Sweden.

“I think it speaks volumes about our nation's intent and enthusiasm to embrace this new evolution,” Rhyan said.

In October 2020 Sounds Air signed a letter of intent with Heart Aerospace to purchase electric aircraft and said they were running simulations to see how they would work in New Zealand.

“They are looking for input so it's very positive and we will be an enthusiastic contributor to that board,” Rhyan said.

Christchurch Airport sustainability and planning general manager Nick Flack said “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 percent committed to doing all we can to get these to market.”

The ES-30 is driven by electric motors powered by batteries, allowing the aircraft to operate with zero operational emissions and low noise. 

The aircraft will 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 cannibalising 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 the flexibility to fly up to 800 kilometres with 25 passengers.

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PHOTOS: Supplied