United said on Tuesday it would buy 100 19-seat ES-19 electric planes from Swedish start-up Heart Aerospace, as the US carrier eyes battery-powered aircraft for regional routes. It is the latest in a series of such “innovation-related” announcements by United as major airlines come under pressure to cut emissions. The US carrier’s venture funding arm said in a release it is also investing an undisclosed amount in the company with Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Mesa Airlines. United would not disclose the value of the order, which is conditional on the aircraft’s meeting safety, business and operating requirements. Mesa would buy an additional 100 ES-19s, subject to similar requirements, which can fly customers up to 250 miles. The plane will enter service as soon as 2026. Electric planes can make only short urban or commuter trips because of the size and weight of the batteries. United could use the aircraft to connect hubs like Chicago O’Hare International Airport to smaller routes. Some of these routes have been cut by legacy carriers because they are too expensive. “With a lower cost profile you can bring back more smaller markets than were possible with the higher cost of a jet-fueled aircraft,” said Mike Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures. He sees the aircraft, which generate zero operational emissions, as a stepping stone toward larger planes.<br/>
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Turkish Technic, Turkish Airlines' aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company, said Tuesday it was mulling investment opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region and had signed a series of agreements with companies in Malaysia. Turkish Technic said it had signed a deal on Monday with Sapura Technics, a Malaysian repair and maintenance company, and a subsidiary of Sapura Resources Berhad. "Turkish Technic aspires to expand its nearly one hundred years of experience in the aircraft maintenance and repair market to this region with its investments in Malaysia," the company said. Turkish Airlines CE Ilker Ayci said the airline aimed to increase capabilities, expand its customer portfolio, and continue investment and growth efforts, and added it was "continuously" evaluating investment opportunities in the region.<br/>