Gayo Aviation has signed a letter of intent with Switzerland-based manufacturer Jekta for the acquisition of 10 electrically powered Passenger Hydro Aircraft - Zero Emission 100 (PHA-ZE 100) amphibious aircraft. With main offices in Sweden and Dubai, Gayo Aviation is a provider of private and specialist aviation services and will optimise the aircraft to support existing and new market opportunities.

The airframe will be delivered in a baseline configuration for 19 passengers, with the deal including ground support equipment for charging and replacing the PHA-ZE 100's batteries; tools and component support for the first year of operation; training for two pilots and two technicians; and a three-year airframe warranty. Gayo Aviation plans to make the aircraft available for environmental and experiential tourism and charter operators wishing to bolster their sustainable transport options. Gayo will also offer the aircraft on lease for scheduled affordable regional services in underserved communities.

“We are delighted to be the first customer to sign an LOI with Jekta for this impressive, versatile and comfortable airframe. We want to be among the first to provide our customers with a truly sustainable option to transport their passengers. With the potential to reduce per-passenger-per-hour costs by more than 70 per cent compared to current seaplanes, we can satisfy that need,” says CEO Gisle Dueland. “The trend for the top end of the tourism community is towards sustainable and experiential travel, so we wanted to be ahead of the curve and first in line to serve this evolving sector. This opens up more opportunities to supply sustainable tourism options, and Gayo is committed to supporting this expansion. We anticipate that interest in travel on these airframes will be high.”

Dueland is a strong proponent of sustainable aviation, and the deal demonstrates industry faith in the PHA-ZE 100 as Jekta CEO George Alafinov continues negotiations with a second potential customer located in the Gulf. Alafinov says: “With a powerful presence in the charter, travel and tourism sectors gained over a decade in the industry, Gayo Aviation recognises the PHA-ZE 100's potential to deliver against its ambition to support sustainable operations. Sustainability does not have to mean a compromise in comfort or capability, and the PHA-ZE 100 has been designed to meet these needs. It also satisfies the increasing demand and opportunity to use water as infrastructure and the expansion of seaplane routes, and provides a sustainable, optimised solution to replace ageing seaplanes.”

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 optimised to serve coastal and island communities, regional routes currently limited by operational costs, and to support new low-cost, sustainable services between cities without the need for the installation of expensive land infrastructure. It also boasts a configuration to suit the particular needs of experiential vacations being large enough to carry kayaks, scuba equipment and other gear required to support adventure sports. Flexible configurations, including 19 seat, mixed economy/freight, VIP and ambulance options, make the most of the PHA-ZE 100's spacious, stand-up cabin. Low maintenance and fuel costs, much-reduced noise, no pollution impact and minimal aviation infrastructure requirements combine to make the PHA-ZE 100 an optimal platform for sustainable and new operations.