Finnair has signed a letter of interest through which it could acquire up to 20 electric-powered electric-powered under development by Heart Aerospace.

The 19-seat aircraft project, the ES-19, was unveiled by the Swedish-based manufacturer in 2019.

Heart Aerospace is aiming to put the aircraft into commercial service in 2026.

Finnair believes the twin-engined design, which will have a range of about 215nm (400km) has potential to be deployed on a number of short-haul routes for the carrier.

The 19-seat ES-19 features four propellers powered by electric motors. The preliminary design for the aluminum-fuselage, fixed-wing model shows winglets and a T-shaped tail and somewhat resembles a smaller version of the De Havilland Canada Dash 7.

According to Heart Aerospace, which is headquartered at Gothenburg’s Save Airport, the all-electric aircraft will be able to fly up to around 400 km (217 nm) and operate from runways as short as 750 meters (2,461 feet). It is expected to have a top speed of 215 knots and a cruise speed of 180 knots. The company maintains that these low speeds will not be a disadvantage on short sectors, especially because the aircraft will be able to operate from smaller, less crowded airfields that will shorten door-to-door journey times.

Photo Heart Aerospace