Promising Developments in Seaplane Design Spark Interest Abroad

Jekta, a sustainable, electric seaplane developer, announced a completed deal to lease 30 of its PHA-ZE 100 aircraft.

The Swiss company announced the receipt of its very first leasing agreement with Solyu, a South Korean outfit that will one day bring the PHA-ZE 100 to its home market. Solyu will provide some financial support to help disseminate the PHA-ZE 100 to clients there, which should be worth somewhere north of $1 billion USD in all. The PHA-ZE 100 promises to be a sustainable approach to seaborne operations, with cabin layouts ranging from a 19-seat commuter to a plush 6-seat VIP trim. Jekta updated their design earlier this year with the selection of ZeroAvia's fuel cell power generation system technology, allowing the PHA-ZE 100 to operate off of hydrogen fuel as it recharges its onboard battery suite. The resulting aircraft is expected to boast a range of 310 to 373 statute miles, while adding another tonne in payload over the original electric design. On top of that, Jekta said that the hydrogen fuel cell would give the PHA-ZE 100 a lifetime limit of up to 20,000 flight hours.

For those who prefer the all-electric model, Jekta believes there will be plenty to appreciate there, too. They cite the ability to operate from coastal seaside areas all the way to inland regional routes, even in waves up to 1.2 meters. Just like the clippers of old, the PHA-ZE 100 allows operators to operate from bases without the vital infrastructure of a sprawling airport complex, providing a shot in the arm for developing regions throughout the Pacific. That versatility is exciting to operators throughout Asia, given the growing traveler base and burgeoning middle class.

“We are excited by the potential that the PHA-ZE 100 gives to our clients, which can optimize the sustainable qualities of Jekta aircraft to expand and open new markets,” said Andrew Claerbout, Chief Executive Officer of Solyu. “Low operating costs, flexibility supported by versatile configurations, and zero emissions operations all deliver added value to our clients. The minimal infrastructure requirements needed to support PHA-ZE 100 operations are also attractive, and we expect strong interest from our customers in both the hydrogen and electric variants.”

FMI: www.jekta.swiss