news hardware In Canada, the airline Harbor Air opens commercial flights aboard electric aircraft
After scooters, bicycles and cars, will airplanes become the next big electromobility project? In any case, the Canadian airline Harbor Air is taking this path for its aircraft fleet like no other.
Private jets owned by billionaires at the center of concern
At a time when billionaires are being singled out for their private jet transport, which is seen as abusive and inconsistent, particularly because of the unfortunate impact it can have on the environment and carbon footprint, a Canadian airline, Harbor Air, decided to take a 180 degree turn by transitioning its fleet of appliances to all-electric.
According to information from Greenpeace in July this year The financial assets of the 63 largest French billionaires emit as many greenhouse gases as those of 50% of the French population, or about 34 million people. Worse, 3 billionaires (the Mulliez, Saadé and Besnier families) emit as much CO2 as… 20% of our fellow citizens.
In light of these alarming numbers, we better understand how and why Vincent Bolloré’s 5 private jet flights in one day have so terrified public opinion.
Of course, there is no talk (yet) of a ban, but the idea of a short and medium-term tax and one Generalization of electric transport in the longer term
That’s why the feat that Harbor Air has achieved with its first commercial flight test in an electric aircraft is a real source of motivation and inspiration.
A first commercial flight of 24 minutes as a test
If you have never set foot in Canada, chances are you are familiar with Harbor Air, and yet this is not insignificant news.
With more than 500,000 passengers and 30,000 flights operated per year, which is indeed number one in the field… seaplanes. These planes can take off and land from a body of water such as the sea, ocean or large lakes. Convenient considering the physiognomy of the country.
The company has been working on its transition to all-electric propulsion for three years and after numerous tests, including a first in 2019, everything changed on August 17 when the company was able to conduct them a 24-minute, 72 km flight between Fraser River and Patricia Bay in Vancouver.
To successfully convert its thermal seaplanes to electric, the company turned to giant MagniX, a specialist in electric motors for aircraft.
Next step: electrify the entire fleet, increase autonomy and conquer the market for large airlines within a few decades … maybe …