Surf Air Mobility Inc., a leading air mobility platform specializing in regional flying through electrification, has recently inked agreements with Safarilink and Yellow Wings Air Services Ltd. to upgrade their Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft with Surf Air Mobility’s innovative electrified powertrain technology. The partnership signifies a significant step forward for Surf Air Mobility as it endeavors to expand its global reach while championing the transition to eco-friendly aviation.
Details of the Partnership: In collaboration with Safarilink, a prominent airline connecting domestic flights within Kenya and Tanzania, and Yellow Wings Air Services Ltd., a Kenyan air operator serving over 500 airfields in East Africa, Surf Air Mobility aims to enhance the performance of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. This initiative involves incorporating Surf Air Mobility’s proprietary electrified powertrain technology once it receives certification.
Surf Air Mobility, as the exclusive partner to Textron for the electrification of the Caravan, is concentrating on establishing a foothold in regions like Africa, which are pivotal markets for the Caravan airframe. This move aligns with the increasing adoption of innovative mobility solutions by transportation providers in these regions.
Advancements in Electrification Technology: Surf Air is actively developing the Supplemental Type Certification for both hybrid and fully electric variants of the Cessna Grand Caravan. The company anticipates significant benefits, including up to a 50% reduction in direct operating costs and a 100% reduction in carbon emissions for the fully-electric powertrain. Surf Air envisions a transformative impact on the global aviation landscape, revolutionizing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability for operators worldwide.
Insights from Surf Air Mobility Leadership: Stan Little, CEO of Surf Air Mobility, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing the suitability of Safarilink and Yellow Wings’ operations to showcase the benefits of Surf Air’s technology. Fred Reid, Global Head of Business Development for Surf Air Mobility, highlighted the goal of deploying electrification technology on a global scale, presenting new possibilities for operators and reshaping air travel economics.
About Surf Air Mobility
Surf Air Mobility is a Los Angeles-based regional air mobility platform expanding the category of regional air travel to reinvent flying through the power of electrification. To substantially reduce the cost and environmental impact of flying and as the operator of the largest commuter airline in the US, Surf Air Mobility intends to develop powertrain technology with its commercial partners to electrify existing fleets and bring electrified aircraft to market at scale. The management team has deep experience and expertise across aviation, electrification, and consumer technology.
About Safarilink
Safarilink is Kenya’s premier safari airline with a network of charter and connecting domestic scheduled services to all the best safari destinations within Kenya and across the border into northern Tanzania. Safarilink was formed in January 2004 by a management team who together had more than 40 years of experience in providing tourist-related air services in East Africa. This professional quality specialist airline now operates 12 aircraft – ranging in size from 13 to 52 seats – that are chosen to meet the specific requirements of operating into bush airstrips within Kenya’s world-famous game parks. Safarilink is Kenya’s 3rd largest airline after Kenya Airways and JamboJet and the largest carrier out of Wilson Airport, its home base. The company provides daily scheduled services to 17 destinations and during the busiest periods of the year carries over 30,000 passengers per month. Safarilink currently employs 300 staff of whom 50 are pilots. Safarilink is a member of the Kenya Association of Air Operators.
About Yellow Wings
Yellow Wings is a privately owned air charter service transporting tourists and business passengers to various destinations around East Africa. Yellow Wings is fully licensed in Kenya and can operate nationally to over 500 airfields including the Turkana and Samburu region and internationally within Continental Africa, Middle East, and Asia. Yellow Wings saves travelers more time and by bypassing big airports with inflexible authorities and tedious immigration and customs procedures.