US carrier JSX has signed a deposit-backed purchase agreement with Swedish manufacturer Heart Aerospace for 50 ES-36 hybrid-electric regional aircraft, with an option for 50 more, according to aviation data provider ch-aviation.

The deal was announced as Heart unveiled the 36-seat ES-36, its newest hybrid-electric regional airliner.

The ES-36 is an evolution of the previously announced Heart ES-30, for which JSX had signed a letter of intent for 50 aircraft, plus 50 as an option, in 2023, the manufacturer said.

The new agreement converts that 2023 letter of intent into a deposit-backed purchase commitment and secures early delivery positions for the Dallas Love Field-based carrier.

Design changes from the ES-30

Compared with the ES-30, the as-yet-uncertified ES-36 adds six passenger seats and 1,415 pounds (642 kilogrammes) of payload capacity while retaining the same maximum takeoff weight and battery capacity, according to Heart.

Development timeline

Heart is currently building its first pre-production ES-36 aircraft at its plant in Los Angeles. The manufacturer is targeting first flight in the second half of 2028 and entry into service in 2031, following Part 25 certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration.

JSX's wider fleet

ch-aviation fleet data shows JSX currently operates four ATR 42-600s, 15 Embraer E135s, and 40 Embraer E145s. In 2023, the carrier also signed a letter of intent for the AURA AERO ERA, a hybrid-electric 19-seat regional aircraft.

Source: ch-aviation