Electra announced the expansion of its facilities in Manassas, Virginia, and Bleienbach, Switzerland, to further the development of its EL9 ultra-short-take hybrid-electric aircraft, designed to carry nine passengers.

In Virginia, the company opened a new 15,000-square-foot hangar and 6,000-square-foot office space at Manassas Regional Airport, which will house development and engineering teams. This expansion adds to its existing 36,000-square-foot headquarters. Electra has doubled its workforce by 2025 and plans to add dozens of additional engineers over the next year.

In Europe, the company expanded its research and development center in Switzerland to nearly 2,000 square feet, consolidating its presence to attract talent and strengthen innovation globally.

The EL9 is designed to take off and land in spaces as small as 150 feet, combining hybrid-electric propulsion with blown-lift aerodynamics. This capability enables operations at small airports and non-traditional locations, such as parking lots or open fields, offering a faster, quieter, and more sustainable alternative to regional air travel.

Electra plans to begin flight testing of the EL9 in 2027, advance toward FAA certification between 2028 and 2029, and enter the aircraft into service by late 2029 or early 2030. The company has already secured more than 2,200 provisional orders from more than 60 customers worldwide, with an estimated value of $13 billion.

Source and Credits to Electra.aero

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