FutureFlight
Pipistrel Details Plans for Miniliner Family To Transform Regional Air Service
The Slovenian company's engineering team is evaluating three variations on its design for a 20-seat regional airliner that would be able to fly up to four 350-km trips in succession.
Pipistrel Miniliner
Pipistrel aims to get its Miniliner regional airliner into commercial service between 2028 and 2030. (Image: Pipistrel)

Pipistrel this week provided more detail on its Miniliner program to develop electric aircraft to serve regional routes of 200 to 1,000 km (125 to 625 miles). Speaking at the EBACE Connect event, the Slovenian company’s chief technology officer, Tine Tomazic, said that the vehicles, described as “like mini-buses,” will have 40 percent lower direct operating costs than similar-sized twin-turboprop aircraft and will be 25 dB quieter.

An early conceptual drawing shows an airframe around the size of a large-cabin business jet, with a pair of forward-facing propellers on the upper surface of the wing and another rear-facing pair of propellers on winglets. The aircraft, which would accommodate a pilot and up to 19 passengers, also features a twin tail.