FutureFlight
Ampaire Seeks New Funding for Hybrid-Electric Plans as Surf Air Acquisition Is Dropped
The hybrid-electric propulsion developer is prioritizing the conversion of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft and expects to have its Eco Caravan approved for service in 2024.
Ampaire is testing the hybrid-electric propulsion system for its planned Eco Caravan aircraft.
Ampaire is testing the hybrid-electric propulsion system for its planned Eco Caravan aircraft. (Image: Ampaire)

Hybrid-electric aviation pioneer Ampaire is preparing to launch a Series B funding round after confirming this week that Surf Air Mobility is no longer planning to acquire the start-up. In an April 22 press release, Ampaire said that it has decided to “move forward as an independent company” as it prioritizes efforts to bring hybrid-electric versions of the Cessna Grand Caravan utility aircraft to market.

Back in February 2021, flight marketplace Surf Air announced an agreement to buy Ampaire. The company did not comment on Ampaire’s confirmation to FutureFlight that the deal is now off but did not dispute that this is the case.