Surf Air Mobility to supply electric powertrains to Kenya’s largest Cessna Caravan charter operator

Surf Air Mobility Inc., a company that aims to transform regional flying through electrification, and Z.Boskovic Air Charters, a leader in private charters, safari, freight, and corporate travel in Kenya, have entered into an agreement to upgrade Z. Boskovic’s current and future fleet of Cessna Caravans with Surf Air’s proprietary electrified powertrain technology once certified.

Z.Boskovic currently operates 13 Cessna Caravan, making them Kenya’s largest charter operator of Cessna Caravan, and intends to add two additional Caravan aircraft to their fleet by the end of 2024.

The partnership is another step toward Surf Air’s expansion of its proprietary electrified powertrain technology as it follows similar agreements to supply its electrified powertrains to Safarilink and Yellow Wings, two other Kenyan air operators.

Image: boskovicaircharters.com

Surf Air’s fully electric and hybrid electric powertrains are targeted to reduce direct emissions by 100% and up to 50%, respectively. As a top safari air operator in Kenya, Z.Boskovic’s commitment to environmental protection is at the core of their business. By substantially lowering the carbon emissions of their Caravan fleet, Z.Boskovic believes they can better deliver on their mission of protecting Kenya’s natural ecosystem while being a responsible steward of the country’s wildlife.

“Z.Boskovic’s wide range of mission profiles is a testament to the Caravan’s flexibility within the regional air travel market and we’re excited for our technology to improve their business further while reducing the impact on the planet,” said Stan Little, CEO of Surf Air Mobility. “We believe upgrading existing fleets of Cessna Caravans, rather than creating brand new aircraft from scratch, makes our technology easier for operators to adopt, accelerates their ability to cut aviation emissions sooner, and aligns our companies’ visions of making the largest impact as quickly as possible.”

Electrifying Z.Boskovic’s fleet positions them well within Kenya’s consumer landscape, with increasing demand for safari and adventure trips along with a greater demand for greener, more sustainable travel.

Image: boskovicaircharters.com

“We at Z.Boskovic Air Charters Ltd are very excited to partner with Surf Air Mobility in their development of both hybrid and fully-electric variants of the Cessna Grand Caravan and consequently to implement electric powertrains, when certified, for all our current and future Cessna Caravan aircraft,” says Jimmy Kibati, CEO of Z. Boskovic Air Charters Ltd. “Over the last sixty years, ZBAC has been a highly reputed pioneer in the air charter business and the introduction of Cessna Caravan fleet in Kenya and Africa. Introduction of this new technology is anchored in our strategic plan, and we are keen to work with Surf Air Mobility both technically and commercially to make this a reality in Kenya and within the Africa Region.”

Surf Air is developing electrified powertrains with a target to have the equivalent power to combustion Caravan engines. As such, Surf Air believes its fully electric and hybrid electric aircraft variants will meet Z.Boskovic’s operational needs. Then as battery technology and energy density improve, Z.Boskovic and others who operate the fully electric powertrain, have the potential for the range and capabilities to continue to improve.

Surf Air plans to make the path to electrified aircraft adoption a simple process for operators to upgrade at a cost similar to regular engine overhauls, while increasing the time between subsequent overhauls compared to combustion engines.

Electrified powertrains are anticipated to be quieter than their combustion counterparts due to a reduction in engine noise. As Kenya’s largest charter operator of Cessna Caravan, Z.Boskovic recognizes this is critically important to reduce impact on wildlife and will make for a better experience for passengers on board.

Kenya is a global leader in sustainability and environmental protection, and Z.Boskovic’s commitment to helping lead the air mobility industry forward demonstrates the immediate and practical applications for Surf Air’s electrified powertrain technology.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 18th January 2024 | Issue #731