Manufacturer
Surf Air Mobility accepts delivery of initial four Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft in fleet order from Textron Aviation
Surf Air Mobility has taken delivery of four Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprop aircraft from Textron Aviation. These four aircraft are the first deliveries of Surf Air’s previously announced fleet order with Textron Aviation. Surf Air is financing two of these aircraft through operating leases with ITC-AeroLeasing, an existing aircraft financing partner for Surf Air and a leading independent Japanese aircraft leasing and sales company serving the international general and business aviation communities. Surf Air and Textron Aviation recently held a delivery event at Textron Aviation’s manufacturing facility in Independence, Kansas, to celebrate the first deliveries.
Deanna White, CEO of Surf Air Mobility commented: “We’re excited to immediately deploy these first four Grand Caravans onto our network to further enhance the profitability of our airline operations. With our fleet order with Textron Aviation, we’re continuing to deliver on our Transformation Plan as every new Caravan will increase our operational efficiency and provide an even better experience for our passengers.”
Mirika Nakayama, CEO of ITC-AeroLeasing stated: “We’re excited to partner with Surf Air Mobility to finance the initial deliveries of their Cessna Caravan fleet, and we believe in Surf Air’s leadership team and their ability to profitably grow their footprint with these new aircraft.”
As the largest commuter airline in the U.S. by scheduled departures and one of the largest passenger operators of Caravans in the U.S., Surf Air plans to use its fleet order to renew its existing fleet, bolster its existing network, and launch new routes in regions across the country.
Surf Air is developing proprietary electrified powertrain technology for the Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft and has an exclusive relationship with Textron Aviation, in which Textron Aviation will support Surf Air’s development of an electrified Cessna Grand Caravan. Surf Air intends to upgrade its own fleet to electrified powertrains, as well as offer the technology to third-party passenger and cargo Caravan operators.