magniX and Harbour Air agree deal for 50 electric engines

North America’s largest seaplane airline, Harbour Air has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with magniX to buy 50 electric engines. 

The electric propulsion units (EPUs), aka magni650s, will be used to electrify Harbour Air’s fleet, beginning with the De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in 2026. The EPUs will also be used for third-party conversions.

“Electrifying Harbour Air’s fleet with magniX’s engines sets us on a course to define the future of regional flight,” said Riona Armesmith, chief technology officer of magniX. “The many flights that the eBeaver has now completed with magniX’s technology demonstrate that the electric age of aviation is here and bringing it to the marketplace is growing rapidly closer. As we mark Earth Day, we recognise the urgency of solutions such as this in answering the climate challenge.”

The relationship goes back to December 2019, when the two companies partnered on the eBeaver’s maiden flight, a Harbour Air De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver retrofitted with a magniX electric engine. The aircraft was the world’s first fully electric commercial aircraft to take flight, it has since flown 78 flights in preparation for the certification of the aircraft.

Bert van der Stege, CEO of Harbour Air said: “We are excited to accelerate the adoption of electric aviation technology and further our journey towards a sustainable future. The agreement with magniX underscores our commitment to revolutionise commercial aviation with electric propulsion and to pave the way for cleaner, quieter, and more efficient air travel.”