North America’s largest seaplane operator, Harbour Air, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with electric engine manufacturer magniX for 50 of its magni650 electric engines.
magniX’s electric propulsion units (EPUs) will be used to electrify Harbour Air’s fleet, starting with its De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in 2026.
This LOI is the next step towards Harbour Air’s mission to electrify its fleet of 45 aircraft after 2019, in which a Harbour Air De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver was retrofitted with a magniX electric engine. This prototype ‘eBeaver’ has currently flown 78 flights in preparation for certification.
So far, magniX has powered historic electric flights of various next-generation aircraft, including Eviation’s all-electric commuter airplane, Alice, and Universal Hydrogen’s retrofitted De Havilland Dash 8, the world’s largest hydrogen-electric aircraft.
“We are excited to accelerate the adoption of electric aviation technology and further our journey towards a sustainable future,” said Bert van der Stege, CEO of Harbour Air. “The agreement with magniX underscores our commitment to revolutionise commercial aviation with electric propulsion and to pave the way for cleaner, quieter, and more efficient air travel.”
“Electrifying Harbour Air’s fleet with magniX’s engines sets us on a course to define the future of regional flight,” added Riona Armesmith, Chief Technology Officer of magniX.
Image credit: magniX
