industry
Electra to Build $850 Million EL9 Factory in Ohio
Hybrid-electric manufacturer Electra will build an $850 million production facility near the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport in Ohio. Construction on the 96-acre site is slated to begin in 2027, with an initial production goal of 400 aircraft per year. The company is actively pursuing FAA Part 23 certification for its nine-passenger EL9, which utilizes blown-lift technology to operate from runways as short as 150 feet. For pilots, this aircraft represents a potential shift in regional flying, opening up ultra-short strips that are currently inaccessible to traditional commercial airframes.