QuickPost News | Seattle
SEATTLE—Aviation giants Boeing and JetBlue Airways are reigniting their push into electric flight, announcing a $25 million joint investment Tuesday in Zunum Aero, a Seattle-based startup promising to revolutionize regional air travel with hybrid-electric jets. The move, unveiled at a packed industry summit, signals a bold bet on sustainable aviation amid soaring fuel costs and tightening global emissions rules—though skeptics question if the tech can deliver on its lofty hype.
Zunum Aero, first backed by Boeing’s HorizonX and JetBlue Technology Ventures in 2017, aims to roll out its 12-seater hybrid-electric jet by 2027, targeting a 700-mile range that could stretch to 1,000 miles by 2030 with battery upgrades. The pitch? Slash operating costs by 40% and tap into 13,000 underused regional airports, cutting travel times and bypassing clogged hubs like JFK or Heathrow. “This is about redefining how people move,” Zunum CEO Ashish Kumar told QuickPost News. “We’re not just building planes—we’re building a new network.”
Boeing, reeling from a $6 billion loss in 2024 tied to 737 MAX delays, sees the investment as a lifeline to reclaim innovation cred. “Electric propulsion is the future,” said Steve Nordlund, HorizonX vice president, echoing a 2017 statement that’s gained urgency as jet fuel hit $4.50 a gallon last month. JetBlue, meanwhile, funneled $10 million through its venture arm, eyeing a greener edge over rivals like Delta, which inked a $60 million eVTOL deal with Joby Aviation in 2024. “We’re not waiting to be disrupted,” JetBlue’s Bonny Simi said, nodding to the airline’s all-Airbus fleet adapting to new tech.
The numbers look tantalizing: Zunum claims its jets, powered by batteries with a diesel range-extender, could halve carbon emissions per passenger-mile compared to traditional regional aircraft. A 2025 FAA certification push is underway, buoyed by $15 million in prior federal grants. Yet, the project’s stalled timeline—initially pegged for 2022—raises red flags. Battery weight remains a hurdle, and analysts like Richard Aboulafia doubt scalability. “It’s a niche play,” he said. “Don’t expect it to dent Boeing’s 737 market anytime soon.”
Wall Street’s mixed: Boeing stock ticked up 1.2% Tuesday, while JetBlue dipped 0.8% as investors weigh the long game. Globally, the stakes are high—aviation’s 2% share of CO2 emissions could triple by 2050 without drastic shifts, per UN forecasts. The EU’s carbon tax, now at €75 per ton, adds pressure, while India and China eye similar rules. Retail giants like Amazon, a JetBlue cargo partner, are watching too, drawn by promises of faster regional shipping.
Zunum’s not alone—Airbus’s E-Fan X and Universal Hydrogen (another JetBlue bet) loom as rivals. But with Boeing’s muscle and JetBlue’s customer lens, this electric gambit could jolt an industry desperate for a reset. Or it might fizzle like so many green-tech dreams. QuickPost News will track every takeoff—and landing.
