Azul Airlines and Surf Air Mobility have formed an agreement for the Brazilian carrier’s fleet of Cessna Caravan 208 aircraft to be electrified.
Details surrounding the collaboration were confirmed on November 27, 2023, with the development aimed at enabling Azul to achieve its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2045.
Surf Air Mobility is targeting certification in the United States (US) of its electrified powertrain in 2026.
“It’s important for Surf Air Mobility to develop our technology with operators that will be the direct beneficiaries of the coming transition to electrified aircraft. We’re very excited to work with Azul to help us design our technology and define how our electric powertrains can best be deployed within an existing regional network in order for passengers to gain as much benefit from the technology as possible,” Stan Little, CEO of Surf Air Mobility, said.
The CEO added: “With Azul’s support, we believe we can further accelerate the Supplemental Type Certification process and bring the technology to market faster and with more certainty.”
Azul currently operates 27 Cessna Caravan 208 aircraft across more than 80 destinations within Brazil.
The agreement will enable Azul’s Cessna Caravans to be converted into electric aircraft once Surf Air Mobility’s powertrain gains certification.
“We look forward to working together, designing the technology, and integrating our electric motors into our fleet in an optimized way. We believe that with this agreement signed, we can accelerate the certification process, ensuring a quicker and safer introduction of this revolutionary technology to the market, thereby positively transforming the future of the airline sector,” Flavio Costa, President of Azul, said.
In September 2023, Surf Air Mobility announced it had paid the deposit for the first 20 Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft that will form part of its electric and hybrid-electric fleet.
Surf Air and Textron Aviation, which builds Cessna aircraft, announced on September 26, 2023, that the confirmed deliveries demonstrate progress from the previously announced initial fleet order of up to 100 aircraft with options for 50 additional aircraft.