Aircraft
Green Regional Airliners Could Break the Market Mold
Several new hybrid-electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft are in development
Heart Aerospace ES-30 hybrid-electric regional airliner
Heart Aerospace is redesigning its ES-30 hybrid-electric regional airliner that will now use an independent hybrid configuration.

Not so long ago, the perceived wisdom suggested that demand for sub-50-seat regional airliners would remain limited for the foreseeable future. But the pressure to bring reduced or zero carbon propulsion technology to market is changing the outlook and opening new possibilities to connect thousands of smaller communities that benefit from little or no scheduled airline service. 

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) expects to close the first stage of its Series B funding round at the end of July, allowing it to accelerate plans to bring a hydrogen-powered regional airliner to market. Delays in raising funds meant the UK start-up had to defer hardware purchases needed for its technology demonstrator. However, it remains intent on bringing the first converted nine-passenger Britten-Norman Islander into commercial service in 2027.