Surf Air Mobility confirms aircraft order & Textron deal for electric Cessna

Surf Air Mobility (SRFM) or SAM, “a regional air mobility platform aiming to sustainably connect the world’s communities,” confirmed its exclusive relationship with Textron Aviation (TXT) , upon the completion of its public market debut…the company announced that deliveries of the first 20 Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft are expected to begin in the first half of 2024. This exclusive relationship supports Surf Air Mobility’s development of an electrified Cessna Grand Caravan EX, targeting FAA certification in 2026. Surf Air Mobility has agreed to purchase up to 150 Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft, with a confirmed initial fleet order of 100 aircraft and an option for 50 more. The aircraft will be upgraded to Surf Air Mobility’s proprietary electric or hybrid-electric powertrain technology by Surf Air Mobility. Through this exclusive agreement, Surf Air Mobility plans to make electrified aircraft broadly available to new and existing operators, and to bring the benefits of lower cost, lower emission air travel at scale to customers. Surf Air Mobility will also be the exclusive provider to Textron Aviation of certain battery electric and hybrid electric powertrain technology for the Cessna Grand Caravan… “We are very proud of our relationship with Textron Aviation and excited to expand our growing network with this fleet order,” said Jamie Strecker, head of Business Development for Surf Air Mobility. “This order brings us closer to our ultimate goal to electrify our entire fleet and bring the world a more sustainable way to fly.” The aircraft should be immediately operable at more than 5,000 public use airports across the U.S. with no charging stations required for the hybrid-electric powertrain iterations …Reducing the environmental impact of flying and paving the way for future generations of even more sustainable aircraft ..Opening the ability for more Cessna Grand Caravan owners and operators to upgrade to the electric or hybrid powertrains..