JAL, JALEC Sign MoU With Maeve To Develop New Hybrid-Electric Jet

JAL SVP corporate planning Yuji Koyama and Maeve CTO Martin Nuesseler.

JAL SVP corporate planning Yuji Koyama and Maeve CTO Martin Nuesseler.

Credit: JAL/Maeve Aerospace

LE BOURGET: Japan Air Lines (JAL) and JAL Engineering Co. (JALEC) signed a MoU today at the Paris Air Show with Maeve Aerospace to develop the MAEVE Jet, a regional hybrid-electric aircraft that aims to reduce emissions by 40% without relying on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

JAL, JALEC and Maeve will work together to optimize the planned MAEVE Jet’s performance and ensure that it meets the requirements of the Japanese domestic flight network.

Maeve, which has offices in Germany and the Netherlands, is planning a 76- to 100-seat aircraft designed to have significant advantages over today’s regional aircraft through increased energy efficiency.

"We are honored to be working with Japan Airlines on this project with whom we share the vision to develop solutions that have the ability to generate an early impact without relying only on de-carbonized fuels and further investments in new infrastructure,” Maeve CTO Martin Nuesseler said.

JAL’s contribution to the project will include leveraging its expertise in aircraft design, operations, and the establishment of a customer support framework. The JAL Group will advise Maeve on requirements for operation in Japan, as well as explore airport infrastructure and operational methods required to support the new aircraft and establish an MRO framework for it.

“As an island nation, Japan relies heavily on air travel to connect its regions,” JAL SVP corporate planning Yuji Koyama said. “It is essential to maintain a sustainable regional network to balance public benefit and business viability. The MAEVE Jet offers a solution that significantly reduces environmental impact while enhancing economic efficiency, aligning well with JAL’s vision of a sustainable and efficient regional network.”

Maeve’s regional aircraft design has been through several revisions and major design changes since the company’s founding in 2021. Maeve has been assisted by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries RJ Aviation (MHI RJ), which acquired the legacy CRJ program from Bombardier in 2019.

alandron01@yahoo.com

Alan Dron

Based in London, Alan is Europe & Middle East correspondent at Air Transport World.

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