Short-haul Flights: Aviation’s Biggest Climate Problem
- 14 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Short flights keep Canada moving. They connect major cities, support remote communities, and help industries run on schedule. In many regions, they’re not optional, they’re essential.
But these same flights are some of the least efficient in aviation.
To delve deeper, check out the article, “A New Kind of Plane Wants to Make Short Flights Sustainable”, by Denis Koshelev.
The Problem Starts at Takeoff
Longer flights might seem to produce more emissions.
But short-haul flights spend more time in the climb phase, which is the most fuel-intensive part of any journey.
Here’s why that matters:
Engines run at near maximum thrust during climb
Fuel burn per kilometre is significantly higher than during cruise
For very short routes, the aircraft spends more time climbing than cruising
On routes like Ottawa to Toronto, a large share of total emissions happens early in the flight. By the time the plane levels off, much of the environmental impact is already locked in.
Sustainable Flights - It’s not Only About CO₂
Aviation emissions are more complex than just measuring CO₂.
Aircraft release emissions high in the atmosphere, where they act differently than ground-level pollution. This includes non-CO₂ effects that amplify warming.
For example:
Emissions released at altitude have stronger climate effects
Repeated short flights act like frequent “injection events” into the atmosphere
Metrics like Global Temperature Change Potential measure real impact
So even if a short flight covers less distance, it can still have a disproportionately high environmental footprint.
Enter the Evio 810
The Evio 810 is a hybrid-electric regional aircraft that is changing how short flights operate.
Instead of trying to eliminate fuel use entirely, it focuses on where change matters most.
Its core idea is simple:
Use electric power during the most energy-intensive phases
Switch to hybrid propulsion for the rest of the flight
Reduce emissions where they spike, not just where it’s convenient
The aircraft carries between 76 and 100 passengers. That places it directly in competition with today’s regional fleets.
A Targeted Solution, not a Total Overhaul
Fully electric aircraft of this size and range aren’t practical yet due to battery limitations.
The Evio 810 takes a more focused approach:
Electric taxiing reduces ground emissions
Electric-assisted takeoff and climb cut peak fuel burn
Hybrid cruise maintains range without over-reliance on batteries
This strategy avoids spreading limited battery power too thinly and concentrates it where it delivers the most benefit.
Real Potential, but Also More Questions
So far, there are no confirmed emissions reduction figures, and performance claims still need independent validation. Scaling a hybrid system to commercial use remains complex.
But the concept is clear. To clean up short-haul aviation, fix the climb.
And that’s exactly where this aircraft focuses.
