Air Canada is getting into the electric airplane business.
Canada’s largest airline today announced a purchase agreement for 30 ES-30 electric-hybrid aircraft under development by Heart Aerospace of Sweden. The revolutionary regional aircraft, expected to enter service in 2028, will generate zero emissions flying on battery power and yield significant operational savings and benefits.
Under the agreement, Air Canada has also acquired a US$5 million equity stake in Heart Aerospace. Saab also is buying a stake, according to published reports.
“Air Canada has taken a leadership position in the industry to address climate change. The introduction into our fleet of the ES-30 electric regional aircraft from Heart Aerospace will be a step forward to our goal of net zero emissions by 2050,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. “Already, Air Canada is supporting the development of new technologies, such as sustainable aviation fuels and carbon capture, to address climate change. We are now reinforcing our commitment by investing in revolutionary electric aircraft technology, both as a customer for the ES-30 and as an equity partner in Heart Aerospace.”
The ES-30 will allow Air Canada to serve regional and commuter routes more sustainably, providing low-emission connectivity to local communities over the medium-to-long term. It will be capable of carrying 30 passengers seated three across (in a 2X1 configuration), with a galley and lavatory. Air Canada has placed a purchase order for 30 ES-30.
Electric planes aren’t common yet, but there’s at least one in British Columbia.
“Air Canada is a strategically important partner for Heart Aerospace. The company has one of the world’s largest networks operated by regional turboprops, and it is also a progressive, future leaning company especially in the green transmission,” said Anders Forslund, founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace. “With the ES-30 we can start cutting emissions from air travel well before the end of this decade.”
The aircraft will be powered by lithium-ion batteries, and will be quieter, have better operational parameters, be more reliable, and have a smaller environmental footprint than conventional turbo-prop aircraft. It will also be equipped with reserve-hybrid generators that can use sustainable aviation fuel. Fully loaded, the ES-30 is projected to have an all-electric, zero-emission range of 200 km. This can be extended to 400 km with power supplemented by the generators, and up to 800 km if the load is restricted to 25 passengers. Charging time for the aircraft is expected to be 30-to-50 minutes.
Raiatea is a lovely, uncrowded island in Tahiti. JIM BYERS PHOTO (Taken with iPhone 11 Pro Max)
CRUISE SHIPS SKIPPING BERMUDA DUE TO COVID RULES
The Points Guy website reports that two of the world’s biggest cruise lines have canceled upcoming calls in Bermuda, citing the island’s ongoing COVID-19 testing requirements.
Celebrity Cruises has canceled visits to Bermuda in October and November scheduled for four ships: Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Reflection. Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled Bermuda calls scheduled for three ships: Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Gem.
A tough blow for the island’s tourism industry, for sure.
CRAZY GOOD TAHITI DEAL
Air Tahiti Nui has announced a special limited-time offer for travelers to visit two countries for the price of one. The award-winning airline’s New Zealand travel deal includes roundtrip Moana economy airfare to Auckland (AKL) departing from Los Angeles (LAX) or Seattle (SEA) with a three-night free stopover in Tahiti at Hilton Hotel Tahiti, allowing passengers to have time to explore the magic of the Islands on their way to or from New Zealand for as low as $999 USD per person.
A roundtrip light to New Zealand PLUS three nights at a hotel in Tahiti for a smidge less than a thousand bucks is a helluva deal, even if it is in U.S. dollars.
Two Countries for the Price of One – Starting at $999 USD roundtrip from Los Angeles or Seattle
* Roundtrip all-inclusive Moana economy class airfare to Auckland (AKL) on Air Tahiti Nui from Los Angeles (LAX) or Seattle (SEA)
* Three-night accommodations at Hilton Hotel Tahiti including taxes and service charges except for city tourist tax ($3 USD per person per day) and resort fee ($12 USD per room per night); three nights of hotel accommodations can be used consecutively or split between travel to and from Auckland as long as the hotel stay is completed by March 31, 2023
* Sale period: ends October 7, 2022
* Travel period: October 5, 2022 – March 31, 2023
* *Based on availability. Blackout dates apply. Price is based on double occupancy.
Air Tahiti Nui offers flights from Tahiti to New Zealand three times per week, arriving in Auckland on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and departing Auckland on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Passengers can enjoy warm Tahitian hospitality from the moment they come aboard one of Air Tahiti Nui’s Boeing 787-9 Tahitian Dreamliners, which have entirely replaced the airline’s previous fleet. The airline’s award-winning full service offers travelers their choice of meals, alcoholic beverages, inflight entertainment, an amenity, a safety kit and a checked bag at no additional cost.
To make a reservation or receive more information about the special New Zealand travel deal and entry procedures to the Islands of Tahiti and New Zealand, please visit www.airtahitinui.com or call 877-824-4846. I flew Air Tahiti Nui from Los Angeles to Tahiti in 2019 and had a great seat in premium economy.
CALIFORNIA EMBRACES INDIGENOUS TOURISM
Tribal and state tourism representatives gathered in Palm Springs this week to announce a new program aimed at promoting Native American tourism experiences across the state.
The Desert Sun reports the program, called “Visit Native California,” will use $1 million of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to “increase awareness of, and travel to, the state’s cultural heritage experiences by curating, preserving and uplifting native stories,” according to Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta.
Indigenous tourism is a growing segment in the Canadian industry, and it’s great to see this happening in the U.S.
