Air Nostrum and Volotea have acquired a minority stake in Dante Aeronautical and Dovetail Electric Aviation, becoming its first strategic investors. Dante Aeronautical is a developer of regional aircraft and both electric and hybrid aircraft engines, particularly active in the conversion of fossil-fuelled aircraft into electric or hybrid-powered units.
This partnership is seen as the continuation of March 2021 agreement in which Volotea and Air Nostrum together with Dante, applied for a grant from the European Union for $44.5 million in funding for the electric technology development project.
With this partnership, both the operators could provide resources for the project development leading to the introduction of new electric aircraft to replace their existing fleet. By achieving this, they can reduce the operating costs as well as carbon emissions.
Dante and Dovetail are planning to achieve certification for the conversion of a Cessna Caravan to electric propulsion by 2025. If the project proceeds as planned, the popular turboprop could also incorporate green hydrogen-based alternatives.
In September 2021, Air Nostrum, Volotea and Dante had submitted a proposal to develop all-electric propulsion alternatives based on conversion of short- and medium-range commercial aircraft
The first test flight of the converted aircraft is expected to take place in 2023.