Surf Air Mobility and Textron Aviation signed a contractual purchase agreement for up to 150 Cessna Grand Caravan EX single-engine electric aircraft.
Surf Air Mobility aims to accelerate the Cessna Grand Caravan EX certification, which will propel a nine-seat variant of the dynamic electric single-engine turboprop. They are currently the sole proprietor of this hybrid-electric aircraft type.
“”Hybrid electric propulsion technology, deployed at scale for environmental and commercial benefits, is an important part of the future of travel; this relationship with Surf Air Mobility leverages the unique performance capabilities of the Cessna Grand Caravan in both passenger and cargo operations and continues to demonstrate the aircraft’s adaptability for innovative missions and configurations,”” said Ron Draper, President and CEO, Textron Aviation.
The hybrid-electric aircraft will expand the regional routes operated by Surf Air Mobility. Their focus is currently entailed to tapping into the Urban Air Mobility markets in the United States.
The company plans to operate electric aircraft on regional air travel circuits by the second quarter of 2022.
“”The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is one of the most adaptable and prolific aircraft in flight today,” said Sudhin Shahani, the co-founder, CEO and executive chairman of Surf Air Mobility.
“Through this exclusive relationship with Textron Aviation, we’re able to make electrified aircraft broadly available to existing and new operators, and bring the benefits of lower cost, lower emission air travel to customers faster and at scale,” Shahani said. “We believe electrifying the Cessna Grand Caravan is the most significant step that can be made toward reduced emission flying with the quickest path to market.”
The purchase agreement signed by the parties is subjected to Surf Air Mobility’s ability to acquire financing.