Evaluating the economic landscape of hybrid-electric regional aircraft: A cost analysis across three time horizons

This article presents the results of a prospective cost analysis of future regional aviation solutions, specifically focusing on hybrid-electric regional aircraft for 50 passengers. The study spans three time horizons (short term, medium term, long term) and employs a validated workflow to estimate costs for various solutions, including conventional, hybrid-electric, and hydrogen-based architectures. A specialized cost model is introduced to assess the electric components of the powertrain, emphasizing maintenance expenses and energy costs. Despite the environmental promise of hybrid and electric solutions, the results reveal significantly higher direct operating costs (up to 69.8%) compared to conventional options. The study highlights the importance of targeted policies to incentivize sustainable alternatives, suggesting potential solutions such as discouraging kerosene-based aircraft and promoting sustainable aviation fuel. These insights provide valuable guidance for industry stakeholders navigating the path toward a more sustainable and economically viable aviation future.