Surf Air Orders Electric Alia for Hawaii Routes

Surf Air Mobility plans to launch electric aircraft flights in Hawaii based on a firm order for 25 of Beta Technologies’ five-passenger Alia. Under an agreement announced on Thursday, the Los Angeles-based operator has also placed options for 75 more of the CTOL version of the aircraft Beta is developing in tandem with a VTOL model.

Operating from runways, Beta says the Alia CTOL (previously referred to as the CX300) will have an operational range of up to around 250 nm, having already demonstrated flights of 336 nm. The Vermont-based manufacturer is aiming to certify the aircraft under FAA’s Part 23 rules by early 2027, with the VTOL version expected to follow around 12 months later.

As it has been doing with other customers, including Air New Zealand and helicopter group Bristow, Beta plans to conduct joint demonstration flights with Surf Air later this year. The Part 135 operator said that, initially, it expects to use the aircraft for cargo flights with its Mokulele Airlines subsidiary between the Hawaiian islands, and later for both scheduled and on-demand passenger services.

The partnership with Beta calls for Surf Air to establish a factory-authorized service center for the Alia in Hawaii that will provide a separate revenue stream. The companies also plan to collaborate in establishing electric charging infrastructure.

“Launching in Hawaii, with its short-haul route, inter-island demand, and high fuel costs, enables us to continue to build on our extensive flight experience and transition that demonstrated performance into a scaled airline operation that is reliable and cost-efficient,” said Beta founder and CEO Kyle Clark.

The agreement covering the 25 firm orders guarantees Surf Air priority delivery slots for the aircraft as one of Beta’s launch customers.