FutureFlight
East African Airlines Commit to Surf Air Mobility's Plan to Electrify Cessna Caravan Aircraft
Safarilink and Yellow Wings Air Services operate the turboprop-powered versions of Textron's aircraft on services in Kenya and Tanzania.
Surf Air is trying to electrify the Cessna Grand Caravan
Surf Air Mobility plans to operate up to 150 electric Cessna Caravan versions itself, and offer the conversion kit to other companies. (Image: Surf Air)

East African operators Safarilink and Yellow Wings Air Services have agreed to convert their Cessna Caravan turboprop singles to the electric propulsion system being developed by Surf Air Mobility and partners. In memorandums of understanding announced on January 4, the companies did not commit to buying a specific amount of the conversions, but each currently operates between four and 15 of the nine-passenger Caravans.

U.S.-based Surf Air intends to be the launch customer for the conversion package, for which it is working to gain an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC). It plans to offer both hybrid-electric and all-electric powertrains, with the latter expected to deliver operating cost savings of between 40 and 50 percent compared with the original aircraft, as well as eliminating carbon dioxide emissions.