Hawaiian Airlines, Beta Technologies and Surf Air Mobility have launched a test program as a forerunner to commercial electric flights.
Surf Air Mobility and Beta Technologies are launching an electric aircraft demonstration program with Hawaiian Airlines.
The program will take place in Hawaii.
Hawaiian Airlines will share insights on local cargo and passenger markets.
The unit of Alaska Air Group will participate in feasibility assessments.
It will use its network in Hawaii to support local stakeholders and community engagement activities.
Yesterday, Hawaiian Airlines hosted the launch event for the trial at its Charles I. Elliott Maintenance and Cargo Facility at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
Beta’s Alia CTOL electric aircraft has begun conducting demonstration flights across Hawaiʻi as part of a six- to eight-week flight campaign to evaluate the operational, economic, and infrastructure requirements for future electric aircraft operations in the state.
The program brings together Beta’s electric aircraft technology, Surf Air Mobility’s regional airline expertise as Mokulele Airlines, existing Hawai’i airport ground infrastructure, and SurfOSTM software.
The demonstration program will provide key insights into how electric aircraft could support future cargo and passenger operations across the interisland network.
Per the press release:
The demonstration program represents a commitment to understanding how new technologies can sustain strong transportation infrastructure with lower emissions and expanded energy alternatives with more stable prices than aviation fuel. BETA will conduct demonstration flights in Hawaiʻi and will share operational insights and learnings throughout the program. Hawaii’s short interisland route structure and established demand for regional air transportation make it an ideal environment to evaluate electric aircraft operations at a commercial scale.’
The program will generate data and operational learnings that help answer some of the most important questions surrounding the future deployment of electric aircraft, including:
Aircraft performance across Hawaiʻi’s routes, weather conditions, and operating environment
Direct operating costs and economic factors that will help determine the commercial performance of future electric aircraft operations
Maintenance requirements and servicing needs associated with operating electric aircraft in commercial service
Battery performance, energy consumption, and operating costs across representative interisland missions
Crew training and familiarization requirements, ground handling procedures, safety protocols, and charging infrastructure needs across the network
The data generated through the program will support broader efforts to advance sustainable aviation solutions across the state.
“The aviation industry has talked about electric flight for years,” says Surf Air CEO Deanna White.
She continues, “The question is no longer whether electric aircraft can fly, but rather how they can now be successfully integrated into commercial service.”
White added, “The data generated through this program will help define the operational, economic, and infrastructure requirements needed to advance the next generation of regional air transportation.”
Beta CEO Kyle Clark says, “These early demonstrations will showcase the utility and economics of the Beta Alia aircraft firsthand to Surf Air and inform future high cadence, sustainable intra-island service.”
Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow adds, “This program provides an opportunity to understand better how Beta’s electrified aircraft can support safe and reliable cargo and passenger air service for short-haul service while improving the environmental impact of that flying.”
Surf Air Mobility intends to deploy the aircraft throughout its Hawaii operations.
The aircraft will be used for both cargo and passenger missions following FAA certification.
Plans call for an MRO.
The MRO is expected to serve as the factory-authorized service center for Beta aircraft in the state.
In March, Surf Air placed a firm order for 25 Beta Alia CTOLs.
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