Australian-based AMSL Aero has secured its first civil order for up to 20 of its hydrogen-powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, Vertiia.
AMSL Aero announced on February 5, 2024, that Aviation Logistics had put down deposits for 10 Vertiia aircraft and an option to purchase a further 10 in the future, with delivery expected in 2027.
Aviation Logistics plans to use the aircraft across its associated companies Air Link, AirMed and Chartair which cover passenger services, aircraft charter, air freight and aeromedical flights from its seven bases across Australia.
When powered by hydrogen, Vertiia will have a flight range of up to 1,000km and cruising speeds of 300kmh.
The aircraft, which could be certified as early as 2026, takes off vertically and then flies like a fixed-wing aircraft.
“2024 is going to be a huge year for AMSL Aero as we continue to test-fly the aircraft, and we are thrilled to kick-off with our first civil order for Vertiia. We are honored to have Aviation Logistics as a partner – with 50 years’ pedigree flying aircraft across Australia’s vast terrain and operating in three of our core target market segments: aeromedical, logistics and passenger transport. This deal catapults Vertiia from world-leading development aircraft to commercial reality,” Max York, CEO of AMSL Aero, said.
Based at Sydney’s Bankstown Airport (BWU) with operations around Australia, AMSL Aero has secured more than $32 million in funding from private investors and has been highly backed by the country’s government programs to develop the new aircraft.
“Over the past decade Air Link, AirMed and Chartair have carried thousands of Australians on our regional airline services, charter operations and aeromedical flights and we look forward to deploying this new aircraft across our passenger and freight network to support our future operations,” Aviation Logistics Director, Mark Wardrop, said.
He added: “We believe it is only a matter of time before electric and hydrogen powered aircraft are transporting people across Australia and Vertiia has the potential to change the way people living in rural and regional communities access services such as education and healthcare located in major centers.”