Optimal Deployment of Electric Aircraft for Canadian Domestic Flights

Abstract

This paper presents a multi-period mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) framework for planning the transition from conventional to electric aircraft in regional aviation. The model jointly optimizes fleet acquisition, infrastructure deployment, and service allocation over time, while accounting for policy constraints such as emissions reduction targets, electric service share, and budget limits. A real-world case study based on Helijet's short-haul network in British Columbia demonstrates the applicability of the model. The results show that electrification can reduce emissions by more than 70\% within five years while remaining economically viable. However, the transition is primarily limited by the capacity of the fleet and operational structure, rather than the charging infrastructure, leading to unmet demand under direct aircraft replacement. These findings emphasize the need for coordinated planning across fleet sizing, scheduling, and route prioritization to ensure a practical and efficient transition to electric aviation.