Swedavia takes a seat on Heart Aerospace’s industry advisory board

To support the electric aircraft manufacturer Heart Aerospace in the development of its first electric aircraft, the ES-30, Swedavia has agreed to take a seat on heart Aerospace’s newly formed industry advisory board. Included on the board are 21 different industry participants including airport operators, airlines, leasing companies and airports from around the world. The aim is to work together to develop a sustainable electric regional aircraft that reduces aviation’s impact on the environment and climate. Swedavia will work in consultation with other members to assist in the work to define the requirements for the ES-30 and contribute to the development of the aircraft based on its experience in the industry and its technological know-how.

“Today no operator alone can meet the climate challenges and requirements for sustainable development that aviation faces in the form of carbon dioxide emissions. We must make this transition together and involve aviation’s entire ecosystem – airlines, airport operators, manufacturers, and developers. It is therefore natural for us at Swedavia to take part as an advisor on Heart Aerospace’s industry advisory board, where we can contribute our knowledge and experience in collaboration with other industry participants under the scope of this electric aircraft project. This is an exciting and rewarding partnership aimed at developing the sustainable electric aircraft of the future. Even today, we see that electric aircraft can serve a significant share of passengers in commuter and regional traffic as an essential complement to scheduled air service,” says Fredrik Jaresved, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Innovation at Swedavia.

“We want to electrify aviation, but we cannot do this alone. This requires a collective effort. Our partnership with Swedavia means that we can influence the entire ecosystem – everything from more efficient aircraft to more accessible airports,” says Anders Forslund, founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace.

As an airport operator, Swedavia is a pioneer in promoting the green transition of aviation. It became fossil-free in its own operations at the end of 2020 and has long participated in electric aviation projects with different operators, including at Åre Östersund Airport, Visby Airport and Umeå Airport, where charging points for electric aircraft have been installed. All ten Swedavia airports will eventually provide infrastructure for handling electric aircraft. Going forward, battery- and fuel cell-powered electric aircraft will constitute one component in the transition to net-zero aviation together with sustainable aviation fuel and synthetic fuels.