Finland to Study Hybrid-Electric ‘Ultra Short’ Aircraft

Manufacturer is also partnered with Signature Aviation to develop infrastructure for its ‘ultra short’ EL9.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 12:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Compact access points at rooftops, parking lots, fields, barges, malls, casinos, or ski resorts could be served by Electra’s EL9, designed for takeoffs and landings with only 150 feet. [Credit: Electra]

Key Takeaways:

Electra is developing hybrid-electric EL9 aircraft capable of ultra-short takeoffs and landings (150 ft), designed for "direct aviation" from non-airport locations such as rooftops and parking lots.
The company is actively exploring infrastructure needs for these aircraft, partnering with Signature Aviation in the U.S. and collaborating with the City of Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University in Finland.
The Helsinki partnership specifically focuses on the Helsinki-Tallinn route to evaluate access point design, assess passenger demand for direct aviation, and establish a roadmap for commercial service, aiming to significantly reduce regional travel times and costs.

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Hybrid-electric “ultra short” aircraft developer Electra in July partnered with FBO Signature Aviation to explore “access points” for its flagship EL9, which is designed for takeoff and landing with only 150 feet of ground roll. Now, the manufacturer is working with Finland’s capital to study the same infrastructure it plans to deploy across the U.S.

According to Electra, EL9 access points could be installed at nonairport locations, including rooftops, parking lots, fields, barges, malls, casinos, or ski resorts. Working with the city of Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, the company plans to evaluate the design of that infrastructure as well as the potential spike in demand that the EL9 could create.