Harbour Air says its planning to buy 50 electric engines to help electrify its fleet of seaplanes.
The airline announced yesterday a signed a letter of intent with magniX — a U.S.-based company that manufactures electric engines — to purchase 50 electric engines to retrofit its current fleet.
“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 in a press release.
MagniX says it’s continuing to work with Transport Canada and Harbour Air to get all certification required for its DHC-2 Beaver electric engines to be flight-ready.
“Electrifying Harbour Air’s fleet and future customers with magniX’s engines sets us on a course to define the future of regional flight,” said Riona Armesmith, Chief Technology Officer of magniX in a statement.
Harbour Air has tested the DHC-2 Beaver engine, dubbed “e-Beaver,” in flight. In 2022, the company completed a 72-kilometre flight between YVR and near YYJ.
Since the company started its partnership with magniX, they say they’ve completed 78 electric flight tests.
The company is hoping to finish all certification by 2026.
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Oli Herrera
