Aerospace company Electra.aero is to give USA-based regional aircraft operator Surf Air preferred early delivery for 90 of its forthcoming electric short takeoff and landing aircraft.
The deal will also see Electra partner with Surf Air on the roll-out of the innovative hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft into its network and Aircraft-as-a-Service (ACaaS) offering to air operators.
Electra’s eSTOL aircraft is expected to enter into commercial service under FAA Part 23 regulations in 2028. The nine-passenger aircraft will be able to take off and land with ground rolls as short as 150ft (45m) and fly at speeds of 200mph (320km/h) up to distances of 500 miles (800km).
The 90 Electra eSTOL aircraft will be used in Surf Air’s USA-wide flight network that includes Southern Airways Express and Mokulele Airlines, as part of Surf Air’s aim to use its ACaaS platform to support the launch, growth, and optimization of new electrified aircraft.
Surf Air expects the aircraft’s capability to take off and land in as little as 150ft will enable more direct-to-destination air transportation beyond large airports and broaden its customer base beyond the private aviation users it currently serves.
Under the deal Surf Air and Electra will partner on the development of route networks, while Surf Air will be the preferred lessor and provider of Electra eSTOL aircraft to Surf Air customers under its ACaaS leasing program
Surf Air, its data services partners and Electra will partner to develop predictive analytics systems to reduce operating costs and streamline operations of the eSTOL aircraft.
Stan Little, CEO of Surf Air Mobility said, “Electra are an early market leader in regional air mobility, and we are excited to bring them onto our platform. Their innovations around hybrid-electric, short takeoff and landing aircraft—which can essentially take off and land on a football field-sized space—will unlock tremendous opportunities within the changing landscape of regional air mobility.
“We intend to leverage our leading position to become the definitive launch platform for new advanced aircraft technologies such as Electra.
John Langford, founder and CEO of Electra said, “As the country’s largest commuter airline, Surf Air is at the forefront of addressing the growing demand for cleaner, more affordable and convenient travel options. Electra is pleased to partner with Surf Air in spearheading the decarbonization of regional business aviation through the integration of our eSTOL aircraft into their fleet.”
Surf Air is also working with Textron to develop and operate an electric version of popular regional aircraft the Cessna Grand Caravan.
