United buying electric planes that could serve McCook route

Friday, July 16, 2021
The ES-19, electric aircraft is under development.
United Airlines

DENVER — United Airlines may buy 100 electric aircraft that would be useful for routes such as flying from Denver to McCook, Neb.

CBS4 of Denver reported that the airline is working with electric aircraft startup Heart Aerospace to develop the ES-19, a 19-seat electric aircraft capable of flying up to 250 miles using only electric motors and batteries.

“Once in operation, the aircraft could operate 20 to 30 routes departing from Denver to destinations such as McCook, Nebraska,” the television station reported.

United Airlines has conditionally agreed to purchase 100 of the electric aircraft, once they meet safety, business and operating requirements.

United hopes to have the aircraft flying passengers before the end of this decade.

The deal is in collaboration with Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy ventures.

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  • This is wonderful news !!!

    I wish United could find a way to fly into McCook at least three a week with them already servicing North Platte.

    Won't hold my breath on the service by the electric planes - 10 year time horizon is disappointing.

    -- Posted by dameister on Wed, Jul 21, 2021, at 5:28 PM
  • McCook should now be considered a village with little need for all of the federal funds required to keep an Airport operable. If the guiding principle of capitalism is supply and demand then it should be no problem to have at least one airline ready to “supply” the “demand” that any village would require WITHOUT the need for federal tax dollars to survive.

    -- Posted by nebraskamike on Fri, Aug 13, 2021, at 2:22 PM
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