FutureFlight
Private Flight Group Surf Air Steps Up Expansion Into Air Mobility Services
Surf Air Mobility is going public with a $200 million investment from Global Emerging Markets Group.
Bye Aerospace eFlyer 4
Private flight provider Surf Air is looking to transform the sustainability of its fleet by adding new all-electric aircraft like this Bye Aerospace eFlyer 4, for which its BlackBird subsidiary holds more than 100 commitments. [Photo: Bye Aerospace]

Private flight provider Surf Air has signaled its intention to step up its expansion into the advanced air mobility sector by announcing a $200 million investment commitment from Luxembourg-based Global Emerging Markets Group (GEM)in its Surf Air Mobility division. The California-based group formed Surf Air Mobility in February 2020 when it acquired aviation marketplace BlackBird as part of a strategy to introduce zero-emission alternatives to existing turbine-powered private aircraft.

The agreement with GEM calls for Surf Air Mobility to be publicly traded. On the first day of trading, for which a date has yet to be announced, GEM will provide a $50 million advance, with the remaining funds to be made available over a three year period. According to Surf Air Mobility, proceeds from the investment will be used to develop and acquire leading technologies in the zero-emission space. The funding from GEM will allow the company to continue adding organic growth, executing strategic new initiatives, and acquiring leading technology players in the space, said Surf Air Mobility CEO Sudhin Shahani.