Hawaii is positioning itself to host the country’s first scheduled electric passenger flights, with Surf Air Mobility planning to bring BETA Technologies’ ALIA electric aircraft to the islands. Under a new agreement, Surf Air has placed a firm order for 25 ALIA CTOL planes, with options for up to 75 more. The partners expect to start with cargo missions before shifting to passenger-configured aircraft, and say they are targeting demonstration flights in 2026 while they build out charging and maintenance infrastructure across the state.
The partnership details are laid out in a joint press release from Surf Air Mobility and BETA, according to Business Wire. Surf Air will serve as the launch operator and plans to deploy the CTOL variant first for cargo under its Mokulele Airlines brand. The company is also preparing a factory-authorized MRO facility in Hawaii. Both sides have committed to joint marketing, rolling out charging and ground-support equipment, and putting capital into local upgrades.
What The ALIA Is Built To Do
BETA says its ALIA family, which includes both CTOL and VTOL variants, has already logged more than 120,000 nautical miles of testing. The company is also installing chargers and ground-support hardware at its launch locations. BETA Technologies describes ALIA as reconfigurable for cargo, medevac and five-seat passenger missions, aimed squarely at short-haul scheduled and charter operations. Together, BETA and Surf Air intend to run a series of demonstration flights in 2026 to collect real-world operational data before certification and full commercial service.
Why Hawaii Makes Sense
Hawaii’s inter-island flights are short, frequent and expensive to operate on conventional fuel, a combination that lines up well with what first-generation electric aircraft can handle. Surf Air’s Mokulele unit already runs a dense network that offers a ready-made testbed. Hawaiʻi Public Radio reports that Mokulele flew about 36,000 flights in 2025, with an average stage length of around 51 miles, a profile industry sources say fits current battery ranges and fast-turn charging times.
For island communities that contend with high fuel costs and limited ferry service, electrified short-haul flights hold out the prospect of lower operating costs on each trip, along with a smaller emissions footprint.
Real-World Demos And Federal Programs
BETA’s selection for multiple FAA eVTOL Integration Pilot Program slots is intended to speed up hands-on testing in U.S. airspace. At the same time, operators overseas are already flying real-world demos that hint at how these aircraft might be used. BETA Technologies has highlighted its eIPP selections, and in mid-March, Scottish carrier Loganair flew demonstrator ALIA missions on Royal Mail routes, according to Loganair.
These trial programs are being used to test everything from charging logistics to scheduling and ground operations before regulators sign off on full type certification and routine passenger service.
When Might Paying Passengers Actually Fly?
Regular passenger flights will depend on both FAA certification and local infrastructure buildout. BETA’s public disclosures currently aim for FAA Part 23 approval of the CTOL ALIA in late 2026 or early 2027, while noting that the timeline still depends on ongoing testing and regulator approval. The company’s S-1 and related SEC documents spell out that schedule and production goals, according to filings on SEC EDGAR.
On the operator side, Surf Air has said it plans to invest about $22.4 million in Mokulele and Hawaii operations to get ready for electrified service, according to an investor release from Surf Air Mobility.
