Electra has signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences to study hybrid-electric ultra-short routes across the Gulf of Finland, with Helsinki-Tallinn at the centre of the work. The feasibility study will examine demand, operating economics, regulation and access-point design for Electra’s nine-seat EL9 Ultra Short aircraft, which is designed for take-off and landing in about 50 metres.
The partners will also assess public-private partnership options and look at other possible destinations beyond the Helsinki-Tallinn city pair. Helsinki and Tallinn are about 80 kilometres apart, and around 7.5 million passengers travel between the two cities each year. The study is due to finish by the end of 2026, and the parties may later consider a demonstration flight using Electra’s EL2 technology demonstrator if additional agreements and approvals are secured.
The project tests whether low-noise, off-airport operations could offer a faster and more direct alternative to ferry services and conventional airport-based travel on one of the Nordics’ busiest short cross-border corridors. It is a feasibility exercise rather than a launch of scheduled service.