CNBC reports that as United Airlines aims for net zero by 2050, it looks to fly electric planes on regional routes by 2030. The battery-powered aircraft are under development by “Swedish start-up Heart Aerospace,” and United ordered 100 of them in 2021 as well as making an undisclosed investment in the company. United Airlines Ventures President Mike Leskinen said, “We cannot continue doing and operating our business the way we do; it is imperative that we change it, and the way we’re going to change it is through investing in technology. Existing technology is going to either cause us to fly less, which is an unacceptable alternative, or continue with a carbon footprint, which we believe is equally unacceptable.”
Full Story (CNBC)
Tag: United Airlines
United Plans to Gradually Reintroduce Boeing 777s Powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000
FlightGlobal reports, “At the end of this month, United Airlines plans to begin ‘gradually’ reintroducing to service its 52 Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered Boeing 777s that have been grounded since February 2021.” United “said on 13 May that it expects to once again use the aircraft for revenue services from 26 May, pending approval by” the FAA.
Full Story (FlightGlobal)
United Airlines Creates New Pilot Training Program
CBS News reported that United Airlines “has launched a program to train the next generation of pilots, including promoting other workers to fill those vacancies.” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said, “We’ve got over 100 regional aircraft that effectively aren’t flying because there are not enough pilots to fly them.” CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg said, “One of the biggest sources for airlines was the military. The problem today is there are not that many pilots in the military. There are a lot of drone pilots – that doesn’t really help in terms of being able to bring people in.” United Airlines “offers some scholarships and priority to relatives of staff.”
Full Story (CBS News)