Flapper and Skyportz Choose Electra's Low-Carbon Electric Aircraft for Flight Services in Latin America and Australia
October 22, 2021
Electra, a next-generation clean aviation technology company, has secured purchase contracts worth more than $500 million for 180 of its hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. The deals are part of cooperative agreements with air service providers and infrastructure developers, and they represent global demand for low-emission transportation as countries work to meet carbon reduction goals.
Electra has signed agreements with Flapper, Latin America's leading charter flight reservation platform, and with Skyportz, Australia's trailblazing advanced air mobility infrastructure developer.
Electra’s hybrid-electric aircraft supports global emissions reduction targets by burning less fuel and emitting less emissions per passenger than a personal car. The fixed-wing aircraft will initially carry up to seven passengers and a pilot or 1800 pounds of cargo up to 500 miles in all weather conditions. Its capacity to take off and land in under 100 feet, with in-flight battery recharging, allows it to operate from previously inaccessible locations, such as urban rooftops and corporate parking lots. Electra's technology delivers 2.5x the payload and 10X longer range with 70% lower operating costs than vertical take-off alternatives, proving that climate friendly technology can also be cost-effective.
John S. Langford, founder and CEO of Electra said, "These strategic agreements go beyond the technological development and manufacturing of the aircraft. They chart the entire ecosystem needed for its successful operation, ground support, and customer use that together validate the commercial viability and market confidence in our eSTOL aircraft."
"Latin America is a key urban air mobility market, and the city of São Paulo, Brazil operates the largest passenger helicopter fleet in the world," stated Langford. "Together with Flapper we'll deliver a quieter, more economical aircraft to this market that slashes fuel burn by 70% versus helicopters, helping to preserve Brazil's natural beauty and unique biodiversity through a low carbon footprint."
"Our transition to sustainable electric aircraft is expected to achieve 40% savings in our operational costs, and open our service to new destinations," said Paul Malicki, CEO of Flapper. "With Electra's eSTOL plane, we look forward to offering our customers unparalleled urban and regional air mobility in cities such as São Paulo, Bogotá, Santiago de Chile or Ciudad de Mexico – all at a fraction of the cost of a helicopter ride."
Skyportz Air Mobility Infrastructure Network
To attract and support future urban and regional air transportation services, Skyportz is building a comprehensive infrastructure network in Australia. Under an MOU that includes a purchase agreement for up to 100 Electra eSTOL aircraft, Skyportz and its operating partners will be preferred partners, allowing Skyportz and its operating partners to directly connect urban centres or dispersed logistics facilities, as well as deliver cargo to remote regions. The businesses are looking into early trial prospects in Australia, using Electra's full-scale technology demonstrator, which will begin flight testing in the United States in 2022.
"Australia exemplifies the type of market that will greatly benefit from Electra's eSTOL aircraft, with our greater payload capabilities, lower emissions, longer range, and reduced operating costs," Langford said. "Electra is excited to collaborate with Skyportz, in anticipation of our eSTOL aircraft flying missions in Australia ranging from on-demand intracity passenger flights to medical transport, cargo logistics, remote area missions and more.
"At Skyportz we are assembling the infrastructure backbone to make Australia even more attractive for innovative aircraft builders looking for a place to trial real world use cases," noted former Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne Clem Newton-Brown, Founder and CEO of Skyportz. "We look forward to introducing Electra to our property, freight and logistics partners and developing some viable applications for their aircraft."
Bristow Group Aerial Flight Solutions
Previously on August 26, 2021, Electra and Bristow Group (NYSE:VTOL) signed an MOU under which the two firms will cooperate on the technical development and certification as well as marketing of Electra's eSTOL aircraft, with an expected delivery of 50 eSTOL planes. The companies will explore new markets for Bristow operations using the aircraft focused on middle mile logistics for retail distribution and passenger service.
Source - www.electra.aero