From offsetting to insetting: Harbour Air’s innovative approach to sustainable aviation

May 9, 2024

Guest

Suzanne Bremski

Guest

Erika Holtz

Guest

Bert Van Der Stege

Harbour Air's CEO, Engineering Manager, and Head of Digital talk about the airline's shift to electric aviation, from carbon offsetting to insetting. They discuss the successful e-plane initiative, collaborations, battery technology, and customer response to sustainable aviation. The conversation highlights the airline's commitment to building the world's first all-electric commercial fleet and the importance of partnerships in advancing green aviation.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 3min

Pioneering Sustainable Aviation with Electric Planes

03:24 • 5min

Milestones in Certifying and Operationalizing an Electric Seaplane Route

08:54 • 20min

Collaborative Efforts in Sustainable Aviation Innovation

29:16 • 8min

Exploring Personal Preferences in Aviation and Beyond

37:30 • 5min

Reflections on Valuable Advice Received

42:28 • 2min

Reflections on Harberer's Sustainable Aviation Innovations and Encouragement for Support

44:00 • 3min

In this episode, we talk to three key members of Harbour Air, North America’s largest seaplane airline. Harbour Air’s CEO Bert Van Der Stege, Engineering and Quality Manager Erika Holtz, and Head of Digital and Customer Experience Suzanne Bremski discuss the airline’s vision for the future of electric aviation.

Harbour Air has a strong track record of prioritising sustainability, being the first airline to introduce carbon offsetting in 2007. The airline was also the first to operate an electric plane in 2019 with its e-plane initiative, and has committed to build the world’s first all-electric commercial fleet. Harbour Air’s unique operating conditions, including short flight times and low altitudes, make it well-suited for the transition to an all-electric airline.

The conversation also delves into Harbour Air’s shift from carbon offsetting to insetting, which involves taking actions or making investments within the airline’s operations, production or value chain for long-term, sustainable mitigation or avoidance of emissions. The interviewees also discuss the positive customer response to Harbour Air’s electric aviation initiatives, the current state of battery technology, and the importance of collaborations and partnerships in advancing sustainable aviation.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Harbour Air’s former CEO, Greg McDougall, who discusses the airline’s strong resolve to be an early adopter of disruptive technologies. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Harbour Air

Moving past carbon neutral - Harbour Air

Carbon insetting vs offsetting - World Economic Forum

Harbour Air Delays “eBeaver” Service Entry - Airways

How Harbour Air is revolutionising aviation with their electric aircraft technology - SimpliFlying