Kenya's Safarilink and Yellow Wings Air Services, both of which offer flights to safari destinations in East Africa, are partnering with the US-based electric aviation company Surf Air Mobility in a commitment to introduce electric aircraft travel in the region.
Both companies aim to achieve more sustainable ways of flying and protecting wildlife in the region, reports simpleflying.com.
"Implementing Surf Air Mobility’s electric powertrain technology will help us reduce the noise and minimise the climate impact of our flights as we help people from all over the world experience our region’s incredible ecosystem," said Safarilink CEO Alex Avedi.
Surf Air Mobility is an exclusive partner for electrifying Cessna Caravan aircraft and is ideal for the partnerships due to the regional carriers' fleets and Surf's aspirations to expand into the African continent.
The continent is home to over 20 Cessna Grand Caravan operators, including private and public airlines that use the aircraft for passenger transport, lodge transfers and other special missions.
Surf Air is currently developing the Supplemental Type Certification for fully electric hybrids of the Cessna turboprop, claiming the electric powertrain can reduce up to 50% of operating costs and 100% of carbon emissions.
