Delta Air Lines has announced a partnership with Dutch electric plane maker Maeve to support the development of a new hybrid-electric regional aircraft.

Under the terms of the agreement, Delta will provide operational support to help Maeve’s M80 hybrid-electric aircraft reach commercial viability for regional flights. Maeve will become part of Delta’s Sustainable Skies Lab. Its presence in the program checks off a box for a key milestone in Delta’s 2023 Sustainability Roadmap to accelerate innovative solutions for a more sustainable future of travel.

In November 2023, Maeve introduced the M80, a hybrid 80-seater aircraft, saying that “there are currently no alternatives in development that are equally sustainable, cost-effective, and match the operational needs of airlines and airports.”

In short, Maeve says that the M80 offers the performance of a jet and the efficiency of a turboprop.

The M80 hybrid-electric aircraft has a range of 921 miles (1,482 km) and promises 40% higher efficiency through a hybrid engine architecture that provides power assistance at low altitude operations, the company said. The hybrid model can also support the efficient integration of more electric aircraft systems.  

To meet the needs of smaller airports and airlines, Maeve designed the M80 “to attain best-in-class specifications with regards to passenger capacity, range, lead time and energy needed for implementation,” the company said. 

“The aircraft is designed to support the future of the regional aviation market, delivering a decarbonized, low energy solution with regional jet performance and turbo-prop economics.”

Founded in 2020, Maeve Aerospace has announced plans to launch the Maeve 01 by 2031. The Maeve 01 will be “the world’s first all-electric, 44-seat regional aircraft,” according to the company. Maeve, which focuses on the short-range aviation market, is also developing rapid-charging systems for its battery-powered aircraft.

Source: Maeve