Selection of US Regional Electric Air-Routes for Public Benefit Maximization

Abstract

With electric commuter aviation a likely actualization within a few years, there exists an opportunity to utilize this technology to address externalities in the aviation sector. This study aims to answer the question of which US regional air routes would provide the most public benefit should they be operated by an electric fleet. Public benefit is considered along three dimensions, emissions reduction potential, noise reduction potential, and community alignment. The community alignment category contains tax base, workforce, economic development, and political priority considerations. The alternatives considered are the communities of the Essential Air Service, excluding Alaska. A comprehensive scorecard is developed for these candidate air-routes, with a tier of nine top scoring air routes identified by this methodology. A potential short haul network appropriate for aircraft electrification is also identified. Recommendations are provided as to how a federal implementation authority may use these results to inform strategy around aircraft electrification policy.