GlobalX Inks Deal With Eviation for 50 All-Electric Alice Aircraft
Today Eviation Aircraft, a manufacturer of all–electric aircraft, announced that Global Crossing Airlines Group, Inc. (“GlobalX”), a Miami–based passenger and cargo charter operator, signed a Letter of Intent for 50 all–electric commuter Alice aircraft. The aircraft will open up new routes for passenger travel in GlobalX’s key markets in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean, supporting the airline’s plan to adopt carbon–free and sustainable technologies.
The Alice is a 9-seater. “Eviation’s Alice aircraft is setting the standard in sustainable aviation, and we plan to offer the aircraft to our cruise line, tour operators, leisure travel providers, and business clients with a need for short–haul charter flights across Florida,” said Ed Wegel, Chair and CEO of GlobalX. “The Alice aircraft will allow us to offer sustainable, regional flights to and from major markets, and is the first step in our initiative to be a zero–carbon emissions airline by 2050. We are proud to be a launch customer for Eviation and lead the charge in bringing carbon–free air travel to our passengers.”
This deal follows another Eviation won at Cape Air for 75.
The market for 9-seaters may seem small when compared to typical commercial aviation deals. But that is because it is easy to misunderstand what Alice means. In the case of Cape Air, Alice fits in well for the regional markets the airline serves. They specialize in smaller airplanes serving some unique markets. Even so, Cape Air serves 40 cities with ~400 flights per day. Alice offers some special capabilities – quiet operations, is able to operate from city airports (i.e. London City) and not burn Jet-A. Its small capacity could be an advantage.
Alice is a disruptive tool. It is not an eVTOL. But it can replace many regional airliners. The aircraft is expected to have a 500-mile range. It will be quiet compared to a turboprop. And much cleaner in ESG terms. This tool could disrupt the way people travel relatively short distances – especially connecting smaller communities to hub airports. Communities are losing air service across the US. The economics of Alice could change that. GlobalX could deploy Alice doing just that as Wegel suggests.
