UrbanLink Plans Sea-air Network with Elfly Noemi Amphibian

Airline start-up UrbanLink has selected Elfly’s Noemi electric amphibious aircraft as the latest planned addition to its fleet. On January 19, the Florida-based start-up signed a memorandum of understanding covering what it called “soft orders” for 10 of the seaplanes that the Norwegian manufacturer aims to bring to market in 2030, plus options for another 10.

UrbanLink, which valued the deal at $200 million, said it is developing a network of zero-emission air services “across air, sea, and ground.” Planned hub cities for routes include Miami, Los Angeles, and San Juan in Puerto Rico.

More specifically, UrbanLink is preparing to launch flights to locations including the cruise ship hubs of Port Miami and Port Canaveral, as well as Dinner Key, south of Miami, and the Florida Keys extending down to Key West. North of Miami, services could run up to Palm Beach and in the Caribbean Sea make connections between Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic. Other planned services could be launched in Hawaii.

Elfly is developing the Noemi as an amphibious plane that can operate with both floats and landing gear, making trips between airports and water possible. The aircraft is expected to be available with cabin seating for between six and 13 passengers.

“Noemi fits naturally in our vision for clean, connected regional mobility,” said Ed Wegel, founder and CEO of UrbanLink. “Its amphibious capability and electric propulsion make it a compelling and efficient solution for linking coastal and island communities.”

Geography, Heritage, and Affluence Converge

Wegel told AIN that affluent Florida is an ideal launch location for amphibious services, with Twin Otters and other seaplanes already in use and the rich heritage of the Pan Am services between locations such as Key West and Havana. UrbanLink is in discussions with cruise lines about possible charter services and also plans scheduled flights. The company said it is committed to operating with no damage to South Florida’s coral reefs and is confident the Noemi will meet this requirement.

“UrbanLink represents exactly the kind of forward-leaning operator we want to partner with,” said Eric Lithun, Elfly’s founder and CEO. “This MoU underlines growing market confidence in Noemi and the international commercial momentum we are building as we commence full-scale prototype development. Florida is a perfect starting point, with its extensive coastlines, islands, and waterways. It is one of the best places in the world to unlock the full potential of electric seaplane travel.”

Elfly’s latest prospective customer has previously made commitments to buy 47 of Regent Craft’s Viceroy electric wing-in-ground-effect “seagliders.” Its plans also envisage operations with Beta Technologies’ Alia electric aircraft and Transverse Aero’s Orca eVTOL cargo drones.

Wegel said he is purposely engaging with developers of multiple new aircraft and has benefited from having direct input on design and operational considerations. In addition to Elfly, he identified Beta Technologies and Regent as companies he believes are pursuing realistic timelines for entry into service.

After freezing the concept design, the Elfly team flew a subscale model last year and aims to start test flights with a full-scale experimental prototype by the end of 2027. Engineers plan to complete a preliminary design review in March and will then start testing elements of the propulsion system, for which the company said it is close to selecting key partners.

Lithun told AIN that tackling corrosion issues is a key design priority. He said that maintenance costs resulting from this damage is the main reason that current seaplanes are, in his opinion, marginally viable as “it is three times as expensive to operate in salt water as on land.”