Electra partners with Helsinki to study off-airport sites for hybrid-electric aircraft

Electra, which is developing a hybrid-electric short-takeoff aircraft, has begun a study with the city of Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences to look at non-airport locations for its EL9 aircraft. The company says the EL9 is designed to take off and land using only about 150 feet of ground roll. That, Electra says, would allow use of sites such as rooftops, parking lots, fields, barges, malls, casinos or ski resorts.

The study focuses on Helsinki and Tallinn, Estonia, two cities separated by the Gulf of Finland and currently linked by ferry and short flights. Electra estimates roughly 7.5 million people travel between the cities each year. A local newspaper reported that the Helsinki-Tallinn ferry alone carried about 7.3 million passengers in 2025. That ferry crossing takes around two hours.

Finnair operates direct flights between the two cities lasting about 30 minutes. But Electra notes that total door-to-door travel time ends up close to the ferry's once airport procedures are factored in. The partners hope access points closer to city centers could cut that overall travel time.

Electra previously partnered with FBO operator Signature Aviation in July to explore similar access-point infrastructure in the United States. In a market outlook the company published in March, it said it believes the EL9 could shorten travel times by an hour or more on more than 2,600 routes in the U.S. that currently lack reliable air service.

The Helsinki study also touches on a proposed undersea tunnel between the two cities as an alternative transit option. It is expected to conclude by the end of 2026.