US regional air mobility platform Surf Air Mobility has received four Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprop aircraft from Textron Aviation. Surf Air attended a delivery event at Textron Aviation's manufacturing facility in Independence, Kansas, to celebrate the first deliveries as part of a fleet order in September.

Surf Air is financing two of the aircraft through operating leases with independent Japanese aircraft leasing and sales company ITC-AeroLeasing, the company's established partner in aircraft financing.

“We're excited to immediately deploy these first four Grand Caravans onto our network to further enhance the profitability of our airline operations,” says Deanna White, CEO of Surf Air Mobility. “With our fleet order with Textron Aviation, we're continuing to deliver on our transformation plan as every new Caravan will increase our operational efficiency and provide an even better experience for our passengers.”

Mirika Nakayama, CEO of ITC-AeroLeasing, adds: “We're excited to partner with Surf Air Mobility to finance the initial deliveries of its Cessna Caravan fleet, and we believe in Surf Air’s leadership team and its ability to profitably grow its footprint with these new aircraft.”

Surf Air is also developing proprietary electrified powertrain technology for the Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft, and has an exclusive relationship with Textron Aviation in which Textron will support Surf Air's development of an electrified Cessna Grand Caravan. Surf Air intends to upgrade its own fleet to electrified powertrains, as well as offer the technology to third-party passenger and cargo Caravan operators.