United Airlines is going beyond its investments in shorter-range electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis with companies like Archer and Eve Mobility, and preparing to reinforce its relationship with a Swedish maker of battery-powered planes that will operate on its regional US routes.

Comments by a United Airlines executive indicated the company was looking to introduce electric airplanes under development by Sweden’s Heart Aerospace on regional routes by the end of the decade, in addition to using eVTOL craft for shorter hops as air taxis. Mike Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures investment unit, told CNBC’s ESG Virtual Impact Conference that the carrier initially plans on using the 30-passenger Swedish craft for flights of 200 miles or less, then extend those to longer routes as their energy technologies evolve.

Use of electric aircraft on regional routes, and eVTOL for shorter-range air taxi service, is part of United’s…

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Source: dronedj.com