Cape Air, a Massachusetts-based regional airline, has signed a letter of Intent to acquire 75 Alice electric aircraft from Eviation.
The companies did not reveal when the sustainable aircraft will begin delivery. Cape Air operates a network of 400 daily flights to 40 destinations in the Northeast, Midwest, Montana and the Caribbean.
“Truly sustainable aviation not only reduces the impact of air travel on the environment but also makes business sense,” said Jessica Pruss, Vice President of Sales at Eviation. “We are proud to support Cape Air, a recognized leader in regional air travel, to chart a new path in delivering innovative solutions that benefit airline operators, passengers, communities and society.”
“Cape Air remains committed to sustainability, growth, and innovation, and our partnership with Eviation allows for these commitments to become a reality,” said Cape Air President and CEO Linda Markham. “Our customers will be at the forefront of aviation history and our communities will benefit from emission-free travel.”
Alice is an electric twin engine capable of carrying up to nine passengers, in addition to two crew members. It has a range of up to 440 nautical miles and can reach a cruising speed of 250 knots.
Internal dispute
Despite the significant deal, Eviation still needs to overcome some challenges in the development of Alice, a redesigned aircraft that should have made its maiden flight a few months ago.
In addition, the startup lost two of its top executives. In February, then-CEO and co-founder Omer Bar-Yohay stepped down, remaining only on the board of directors.
Last month, Roei Ganzarski, the company’s executive chairman and also CEO of Magnix, supplier of the Alice propulsion system, has stepped down from both roles. According to reports, the two differed on decisions made regarding the future of Eviation.
In the statement about the agreement with Cape Air, there is no mention of Alice’s first flight.
