All-electric aircraft leasing company Skye Aviation has completed purchase deposits for two additional eFlyer 800 aircraft from Bye Aerospace, and has paid option agreements for three additional eFlyer 800s. The company had previously completed purchase agreements for 15 eFlyer 800s in July this year.

“Skye Aviation is a bridge that provides access to the many benefits of this incredible airplane,” says Bye Aerospace CEO George E Bye. “A leasing solution provides an access and growth path for fleet operators to what might otherwise be a capital-constrained asset challenge.”

“We are excited to add more eFlyer 800s to our portfolio which, in turn, offers our customers increased leasing options to serve a growing market,” says Skye Aviation representative Carol Johnson. “The transportation industry is witnessing a sea-change in travellers' preferences for small group, on-demand urban air mobility options. In partnering with the Bye Aerospace team, we are thrilled to be able to offer options for placing low operating-cost eFlyer aircraft into customer fleets and business models.”

Bye Aerospace announced the eFlyer 800 programme earlier in 2021. The eight seat eFlyer 800 twin turboprop category has a 65 inch wide cabin for business transportation, and a higher density 12 seat configuration is being studied for commuter operators. An increase in motor rating to balance aircraft and payload weight increases is also being considered. The company is in the process of obtaining FAA Part-23 certification for its eFlyer 2 for the professional flight training mission and the four-seat eFlyer 4 for air taxi, cargo and advanced training uses. The company currently has nearly 900 airplanes in its production backlog over its three models of eFlyer aircraft.