Supersonic aircraft company Aerion is collaborating with Electra.Aero, a company that is developing a new generation of electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. Aerion intends to develop a global mobility ecosystem, supported by leading global partners, that integrates and connects the point of departure to the point of destination, optimised for high-speed travel with different, innovative modes of transportation. Under a memorandum of understanding signed between the two companies, Electra will become one of the preferred partners of Aerion Connect in the greater New York metropolitan area as well as other potential regional hubs to explore an integrated, high-speed experience.

Aerion CEO, president and chairman Tom Vice says: “Our intent at Aerion is not just to redefine speed and the experience of global travel but to build an entire ecosystem for point to point mobility. We're also clear that enabling this reinvented, faster ecosystem will require world-class partners to achieve success. Accordingly, I'm delighted to launch this partnership with Electra and its new generation of eSTOLs that, with their large cabin, optimal range, speed and emissions capabilities, will integrate seamlessly into our vision of the future.”

“Aerion and Electra offer the perfect combination of speed and convenience,” adds Electra CEO John Langford. “Our powered-lift aircraft can bring air service to areas of less than 100 ft. This will open new opportunities to connect urban, suburban and remote areas.”

Electra.aero is developing eSTOL aircraft that it hopes will shape the future of regional mobility aircraft. The company's powered lift concept will enable Electra aircraft to operate in and out of space currently used for parking garages, helicopter terminals, docks or barges.

In combining Electra's eSTOL with Aerion's AS2 supersonic business jet, the two companies aim to advance development of urban and regional transportation networks, enabling a faster end-to-end journey and delivered in a seamless luxury experience through Aerion Connect.