United Airlines Ventures, in partnership with Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Mesa Airlines, has agreed to invest in electric aircraft startup Heart Aerospace, which is developing the ES-19, a 19-seat electric aircraft with a 250 mile range.
On Tuesday (July 13, 2021), United Airlines Ventures (UAV) announced that in partnership with Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) and Mesa Airlines, they will invest in electric aircraft startup Heart Aerospace. Heart is currently developing the ES-19, a 19-passenger electric aircraft which has the potential to carry passengers up to 250 miles by the end of the decade. Along with UAV’s investment, United Airlines has conditionally agreed to purchase up to 100 ES-19s, providing the aircraft meets the airline’s safety, business and operating benchmarks. United Airlines’ partner Mesa Airlines has also agreed to add 100 ES-19s to their fleet, subject to similar conditions.
In Tuesday’s announcement, United Airlines Ventures’ President, Michael Leskinen, said,
“Breakthrough Energy Ventures is the leading voice of investors who are supporting clean-energy technology creation. We share their view that we have to build companies who have real potential to change how industries operate and, in our case, that means investing in companies like Heart Aerospace who are developing a viable electric airliner. We recognize that customers want even more ownership of their own carbon emissions footprint. We're proud to partner with Mesa Air Group to bring electric aircraft to our customers earlier than any other US airliner. Mesa's long serving CEO, Jonathan Ornstein has shown visionary leadership in the field of electric-powered flight.”
Also commenting on the new partnership and conditional orders, Heart Aerospace’s CEO, Anders Forslund, added,
“Electric aircraft are happening now—the technology is already here. We couldn't be prouder to be partnering with United, Mesa and BEV on taking our ES-19 aircraft to market. I can't imagine a stronger coalition of partners to advance our mission to electrify short-haul air travel.”
Speaking in a separate announcement today, Mesa Air Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Jonathan Ornstein, said,
“As we continue to explore opportunities in electric aviation, we are excited to expand our efforts to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels in the airline industry and are proud to work with Heart to launch the world’s first electric regional aircraft. Mesa intends to continue its expansion through the introduction of revolutionary technology that benefits our passengers and the environment. We are delighted to take this important step in the de-carbonization of air travel through our co-investment with Breakthrough Energy Ventures and United Airlines Ventures in Heart. These technological innovations are good for the environment, will expand the national transportation system, and provide significant growth opportunities for Mesa. We look forward to reconnecting with communities and passengers we previously served.”
Gothenburg, Sweden-based Heart Aerospace hopes to fast track the introduction of the ES-19 to market as early as 2019. With a range of 250 miles, the aircraft could operate on over 100 of United’s regional routes out of most hubs including service between Chicago (ORD) and Purdue University Airport (LAF) and from San Francisco (SFO) to Modesto City-County Airport (MOD).
Source(s): United Airlines, Mesa Air Group