(16/02/24) Surf Air Mobility has secured early delivery
positions for 90 Electra hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL)
aircraft.
The aim is to integrate the aircraft
into Surf Air’s national flight network including Southern Airways Express and Mokulele Airlines, as part of
the company’s plan
to use its technology-driven, on-demand air mobility
platform and Aircraft-as-a-Service (ACaaS) offering to support the
launch, growth, and optimization of new electrified aircraft.
The Electra eSTOL
aircraft’s ability to take off and land in as little as 150 feet
could enable direct-to-destination air transportation beyond large
airports, including small regional airports and novel Advanced Air
Mobility (AAM) infrastructure, expanding regional transportation
to a broader customer base than private aviation currently serves.
Surf Air Electra eSTOL
The agreement between the two companies includes:
– Preferred delivery positions on 90 eSTOL aircraft from Electra;
– Collaboration on the development of
route networks to be served by Surf Air’s air mobility network
leveraging the Electra eSTOL aircraft;
– Surf Air is the
preferred lessor and provider of Electra eSTOL aircraft to Surf
Air customers under its Aircraft-as-a-Service leasing program; and
–
Surf Air, its data services partner(s), and Electra will
collaborate on the development of predictive analytics systems to
reduce overall operating costs and streamline operations.
“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,” said John S.
Langford, founder and CEO of Electra.
Traditionally,
smaller regional Part 135 operators have not had the same access
to aircraft funding options and software services as larger
commercial air carriers. Surf Air’s Aircraft-as-a-Service program
is being designed to solve this problem and lower the barrier to
entry by providing the necessary financing and software tools to
enable a new generation of regional aircraft and air operators to
launch, grow, and optimize their businesses.
In addition to
supporting the growth and distribution of innovative sustainable
aircraft, such as the Electra eSTOL, Surf Air continues to develop
its own electrified powertrain technology for the Cessna Grand
Caravan aircraft whose development is supported by an exclusive
relationship with Textron Aviation. Surf Air plans to use its platform
to bring the electrified Caravan aircraft to market on a global
scale, thus proving what it can do for other aircraft makers as
well.
“Electra stands out as one of the early market
leaders in regional air mobility, and we’re excited to bring them
onto our platform,” said Stan Little, Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of Surf Air Mobility. “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.”
PODCAST
Latest
exclusive video interviews:
Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video
Interview with Amar Lalvani, Executive Chairman;
Crowne Plaza Vientiane and Holiday
Inn & Suites Vientiane – Interview
with Murali Viswanathan, CGM;
Settha Palace Hotel in Vientiane,
Laos – Interview with Hala Krimi,
GM;
Cosi Vientiane Nam Phu Hotel –
Interview with Pasin Nopsuwan,
GM;
Inthira Vang Vieng Hotel in Laos – Interview with
Charles-David Hay, GM;
S Vang Vieng Boutique Hotel in Laos – Interview with Sengnikone Bouphaphanh;
Full Moon Island Resort in Kaoh
Sdach, Cambodia – Interview
with Indra Khanitha Lay Prohas;
DiscoverLaos – Interview with
Southisack Sayasavanh, Tours Director;
Lao Airlines – Interview with
Chanthanon Khampheng, Deputy
Director – Commercial & Marketing;
Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort – Interview
with Michelle Wang, Travel Director;
9 Exclusive Video Interviews with VIPs at the ASEAN Tourism Forum
2024
in Vientiane, Laos;
8 NTO Press Conferences from the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in
Vientiane, Laos;
13 HD Video Interviews from World Travel
Market 2023 in London, England
(WTMLDN);
5 HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France;
15 HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye; and
Electric Airport Taxis at Almaty Airport (ALA) in Kazakhstan – HD
Video Interview with CEO.