General Aviation Surf Air orders up to 150 Cessna Grand Caravan EX

Textron Aviation and Surf Air Mobility have officially signed a purchase agreement that sees up to 150 Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft joining the operator´s fleet. The initial order is 100 aircraft strong and the remaining 50 aircraft are purchase options.

With the order, Surf Air and Textron Aviation have also signed for an exclusive relationship between the companies. Together, the development of electrified Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft will be discovered using Surf Air´s proprietary powertrain technology.

The deal for the 100 aircraft is still subject to Surf Air obtaining financing and deliveries are expected to begin in the second quarter of next year. If certified, Surf Air seeks to be able to accommodate up to 9 passengers onboard the single-engine turboprop.

Ron Draper, President & CEO, Textron Aviation, said: “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.”

Sudhin Shahani, Co-founder, CEO & Executive Chairman, Surf Air Mobility, added: “The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is one of the most adaptable and prolific aircraft in flight today. 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 […] 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 Grand Caravan EX in the electric hybrid variant will be used by Surf Air across the operator´s own network in the United States. The aircraft will help to connect more airports with short-haul direct services across the country.

Surf Air Mobility is a Los Angeles-based company that seeks to reinvent flying through the power of electrification. Surf Air has already flown the world´s largest hybrid electric aircraft and intends to build the infrastructure to sustainable aircraft operations in the future.