US eSTOL developer Airflow has received a letter of intent (LOI) from El Azufre, a clean-energy ski resort located in the Argentinian Andes mountains, for the purchase of five aircraft for sustainable transportation to and from the remote resort.

El Azufre has opted for the hydrogen-powered version of Airflow's multiple propulsion options. These aircraft will be fuelled with locally produced green hydrogen that is generated at El Azufre using renewable, geothermal energy. The aircraft are also equipped with Airflow's distributed propulsion system that allows them to safely land on El Azufre's short runways, 8,000 ft above sea level.

“El Azufre's mission to create a luxurious resort experience that does not come at the expense of the environment is the type of forward-thinking that we're looking for in a partnership. We're proud that El Azufre trusts our first-of-its-kind eSTOL aircraft to be the primary mode of transportation for its guests,” says CEO and co-founder Marc Ausman. “Not only does this partnership contribute to bringing a clean energy resort to market, but it reinforces Airflow's mission to build sustainable aircraft that evolve the aviation industry in its pursuit of decarbonisation.”

“By using Airflow's aircraft, El Azufre guests can arrive at our resort in just 20 minutes from the Malargüe, Mendoza and Argentina international airports, while also making a less than 60 minute flight possible from Mendoza's fantastic vineyards,” adds El Azufre founder Daniel Nofal. “Airflow's aircraft are not only vital to the success and growth of El Azufre, given its remote location, but they also support our sustainability efforts as we strive to do our part in the global fight against climate change.”

El Azufre currently operates cat skiing and heli skiing adventures and will open a full-service ski resort with lifts beginning in July 2023.