Overview
- Electra, the City of Helsinki and Haaga‑Helia signed a memorandum of understanding to start a structured feasibility study, a move announced Thursday that begins a formal review of Direct Aviation between Helsinki and Tallinn.
- The study will assess where compact access points could be sited, how many passengers would use the service, rough infrastructure costs, operating economics and possible public‑private partnership models.
- The partners will consider a flight demonstration using Electra’s EL2 technology demonstrator but say any demo will require separate agreements and regulatory approvals before it can proceed.
- Electra is developing the nine‑passenger EL9 Ultra Short, which the company says can take off and land in about 50 meters; the FAA established the EL9’s certification basis in July and Electra has previously said it aims for commercial service around 2030.
- Findings from the study are due by the end of 2026 and will determine whether faster, quieter cross‑Gulf connections are feasible; major remaining hurdles include regulatory clearances, building access infrastructure and proving a ticket‑price‑sensitive market at scale.