US aerospace company Electra has secured 2,200 pre-orders for its EL9 ultra short hybrid-electric aircraft, valued at nearly $9 billion. The nine-passenger model combines blown lift aerodynamics with hybrid-electric propulsion and is designed to take off and land in just 150 feet, enabling operation from grass fields, parking areas and heliports.

“Electra's ultra short is the unlock for a new era of air travel, what we call 'direct aviation', that is as transformative as it's practical,” says Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “Hybrid-electric propulsion enables us to achieve what jet fuel alone can't do; we've created a fixed-wing airplane that delivers the access of a helicopter with 100 times less noise, 70 percent lower costs, improved safety and dramatically reduced emissions. The response from the global aviation industry has been tremendous.”

The EL9's hybrid-electric system allows in-flight battery recharging, reducing the need for ground-based charging infrastructure and offering a range of up to 1,100 nautical miles. The aircraft is intended to open new routes to underserved areas, support cargo logistics and aid military operations in austere environments.

Recent customers include Akansel in Turkey, Dieng & Co Engineering in Senegal with Flow Aero, Caverton Helicopters in Nigeria, Copenhagen Helicopter and Copenhagen Air Taxi in Denmark, 5 Star Helicopter Tours in the US, Global Vectra Helicorp in India and Helicidade Heilporto in Brazil.

They join existing EL9 operators such as Bristow Group, JetSetGo, Blade India, Flapper, flyv, Lygg, JSX and Surf Air, all seeking to leverage the aircraft’s capabilities to access noise-constrained or infrastructure-limited locations.