The hybrid-electric aircraft developer plans an $850 million Springfield production campus, connecting its point-to-point aviation model with certification, supply and commercial commitments.
Electra announced plans on July 21, 2026, to establish its first EL9 Ultra Short production facility at AirPark Ohio in Springfield, adjacent to Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport. The company said the $850 million investment would create 1,975 jobs and move its nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft towards scaled commercial production. The initial phase is intended to support annual capacity of up to 400 aircraft, with a second phase expanding that figure to 800.
The 96-acre campus gives physical form to Electra’s proposed Direct Aviation model, which is designed around point-to-point flights using access points beyond large airports. The fixed-wing EL9 combines hybrid-electric propulsion with blown-lift technology and is designed to take off and land in as little as 150 feet. Electra’s May 2026 market analysis identified trips between 50 and 250 flying miles as a concentrated but largely unserved segment, estimating demand for 12,000 to 16,000 aircraft between 2030 and 2040.
The release reported that facility design would begin immediately and construction was planned for 2027, following a year-long selection process that considered more than 140 locations. Electra said state and local incentives would be tied to areas including job creation, workforce development and infrastructure readiness, while the project would pursue an Ohio Job Creation Tax Credit. Its Springfield recruitment page describes production roles, hiring events and apprenticeships as opportunities that are expected to open as the campus develops.
The manufacturing plan sits alongside several commitments intended to support the EL9’s progression. Electra and Safran Helicopter Engines announced a life-of-program agreement on July 15, 2026, covering development and production of the TG600 turbogenerator, including an initial order for 250 units. Bristow Group had signed a pre-delivery payment agreement on January 21, 2026, securing five delivery slots, including the first, under binding terms and conditions subject to aircraft certification, with options for another 45 aircraft.
Certification remains a necessary step between the factory plan and commercial operations. Electra reported on July 10, 2026, that the Federal Aviation Administration had closed the G-1 Issue Paper, establishing the EL9’s certification basis after the company submitted its Part 23 application in November 2025. The July 21 release said Electra anticipated a first flight in late 2027 or early 2028, while its Safran announcement expected entry into service in 2030. The Springfield investment therefore brings production capacity, propulsion supply and early customer commitments into one programme, while leaving its timetable dependent on further development and certification work.
