REGENT, the electric seaglider manufacturer, and Surf Air Mobility, the regional air mobility platform, have joined forces to introduce all-electric seaglider operations in South Florida. The partnership, which was officially announced on October 12, aims to establish a hub in Miami that will offer passenger transport service routes connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and the Caribbean Islands. South Florida currently witnesses the movement of nine million passengers each year through various modes of transportation, including air, ferry, rail, and road. REGENT's Viceroy Seaglider, which functions as both a boat and an aircraft, is expected to carry approximately 1.5 million passengers annually.
Stan Little, CEO of Surf Air Mobility, emphasized the significance of REGENT seagliders in addressing the growing transportation needs of Miami and South Florida residents and visitors. By incorporating their platform at Surf Air, they intend to introduce electrified transportation solutions that open up new routes along Florida's coastal corridors, aligning with their commitment to operating an electrified fleet.
As part of this initiative, REGENT will deliver Viceroy seagliders to Mokulele Airlines, a subsidiary of Southern Airways recently acquired by Surf Air Mobility. The seaglider aircraft is designed to accommodate 12 passengers and is capable of covering distances up to 160 nautical miles, with a cruise speed of 160 knots. REGENT anticipates that the electric seaglider will enter into service in 2025.