US-based next-gen aerospace company Electra.aero has signed a letter of intent bringing its total order book to 1,000 aircraft worth over $3 billion. The aircraft sale was signed with private air mobility provider Welojets for 32 eSTOL aircraft.

Welojets joins a broad range of customers for Electra's climate-friendly eSTOL aircraft including urban and regional airlines, charter operators, VIP transport, medical and emergency response transport, and helicopter operators. Electra's customers are both established aircraft operators as well as new entrants re-defining how we move and transport goods and include Bristow Group, flyv, EBird, Harbour Air, Tailwind Air, Ravn Alaska, MintAir, Everts Air Cargo, Yugo, Gold Aviation, Skyportz, Flapper, Northwest Seaplanes and El Azufre Resort. The global reach of Electra's order book means that customers will fly in the US, Latin America, Europe, southeast Asia and Australia.

Welojets currently organises business jet flights throughout Europe and the Americas and is looking for ways to expand into new markets in a sustainable manner. With a workforce positioned in more than 20 strategic locations worldwide, the company is primed to evolve as a global leader in private aviation's push toward air mobility solutions and eSTOL aircraft operations.

Electra is currently developing a hybrid eSTOL aircraft that will enable people and cargo to transit more rapidly, safely and affordably within urban and regional networks. The aircraft's ability to take off and land in a space the size of a soccer field yet cruise at 175 knots, with in-flight battery recharging, enables flight operations from places previously inaccessible by flight including converted parking lots, barges and very short landing strips. The piloted fixed wing aircraft will initially carry up to nine passengers, or 2,500 pounds of cargo, up to 400 nautical miles in all weather conditions.

“We are delighted to have Welojets on board with us for this incredible journey to decarbonise aviation and bring air mobility to entirely new markets. Our quiet, ultra-short take off and landing aircraft provides a step change in fuel burn and operating cost reduction and opens markets previously inaccessible to conventional fixed wing aircraft,” says Electra founder and CEO John Langford.

“Welojets fully embraces the electric aviation revolution and we are thrilled to work with Electra to deliver cleaner and cost-effective flights to our customers,” adds Welojets president Alfredo Lisdero. “We plan to fly the Electra eSTOL aircraft into existing airports as well as use it to expand our operations into new markets that cannot be served currently with traditional fixed wing aircraft. Thanks to the Electra aircraft cost and performance advantages, we see many opportunities to grow our services throughout Europe and Latin America.”