MEHAIR signs purchase orders for ten electrically powered seaplanes, first delivery in 2029 – Times of India

MUMBAI: Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt Ltd (MEHAIR) has inked a deal with Switzerland based Jekta for purchase of ten electrically powered regional amphibious aircraft PHA-ZE 100, said the Mumbai based company in a statement released on Thursday. Apart from these ten firm orders, the company has options for purchase of 40 more of this aircraft type, it said.
“With this agreement, MEHAIR will be the first customer to receive the aircraft in Asia, with initial deliveries starting in 2029,” the company said. The first ten aircraft will be delivered in baseline configuration for 19 passengers to support regional connectivity, it added. “We have served destinations across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and destinations across Maharashtra. The company is rescheduling its services in India, starting with Andaman & Nicobar and Goa in 2023 under the UDAN Scheme. We believe the 19-seat PHA-ZE 100 will come for deliveries at the ideal time to address the market’s demand in 2029. The Jekta PHA-ZE 100 design meets the operating requirements at much lower costs than existing seaplanes,” it said.
The PHA-ZE 100 flying boat will be certified to EASA CS-23 and US FAA FAR-23 standards for fixed-wing passenger aircraft. It is optimized to serve coastal and island communities and regional routes. Flexible configurations, include 19-seat, mixed economy/freight, VIP, and ambulance options.
George Alafinov, CEO of Jekta Switzerland said: “We aim to drastically reduce per-passenger-per-hour flight costs compared with existing seaplanes. We are exploring the options for redefining single pilot operations in the commercial sector, and we are committed to attracting a new workforce into aviation. We know that the Indian government has defined multiple water routes across India and is launching many more, nearing 100 seaplane routes.”