Bristow book first delivery slot for Electra’s EL9 Aircraft

Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short unlocks entirely new opportunities for regional mobility, with unprecedented point-to-point access and dramatically reduced travel times

Bristow Group announced a pre-delivery payment (PDP) deposit agreement with Electra.aero to secure first delivery slot for its EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft.

“Bristow has a long and respected track record of safely operating complex missions in some of the most demanding environments on earth,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra.

“We are proud to welcome Bristow as an EL9 Launch Customer. By reserving five delivery slots in the EL9’s first year of production, to include slot one, they have made a powerful statement of confidence in Electra, our EL9 aircraft, and the future of Direct Aviation.”

The aircraft, yet to receive certification, is capable of carrying nine passengers with baggage or 3,000lbs of cargo for 330nm and has a maximum ferry range of 1,100nm with Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) reserves.

Bristow and Electra have worked together for five years, starting with a pre-order agreement in 2021. The parties have now converted their pre-order LOI into a fixed agreement for five EL9 delivery slots, all to be delivered in the EL9’s first year of production.

The PDP agreement includes option rights for Bristow to another 45 aircraft at the same fixed terms.

Bristow plans to deploy the EL9 across turnkey mobility solutions for corporate customers, premier destinations and resorts, major and regional airlines, and government agencies operating essential public service routes.

“Electra’s EL9 fundamentally changes what regional air mobility can be,” said Dave Stepanek, Bristow executive vice president, chief transformation officer. “Securing delivery slot one and reserving delivery slots in the first year of production ensures Bristow will lead this new industry and bring advanced air mobility capabilities to our customers first.”