Exciting news from the aviation industry as Virginia-based aerospace company, Tidal Flight, unveils its innovative hybrid-electric seaplane, the 'Polaris'. In a landmark move, Tidal Flight has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Florida-based Tropic Ocean Airways, signaling a game-changing collaboration in the world of seaplane aviation.

Announced during the prestigious Future Opportunities for Seaplanes and Amphibious Aviation 2025 (FOSAA25) conference in Miami, Florida, the partnership between Tidal Flight and Tropic Ocean Airways is set to bring a fleet of up to 20 Polaris seaplanes into the skies with an estimated total worth exceeding $100 million.

Tropic Ocean Airways, founded in 2009 by former US Navy fighter pilot, Rob Ceravolo, is a respected seaplane airline headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With a current fleet of 14 aircraft, the carrier specializes in private charters, scheduled flights, and luxury yacht transfers across Florida, the Bahamas, and the Northeast US.

Pioneered by entrepreneurs Jude Augustine, Pranav Krishnamurthy, and Mark Lau, Tidal Flight's Polaris aircraft represents a significant leap forward in sustainable aviation. Designed to accommodate 9 to 12 passengers plus luggage, the Polaris seaplane is capable of dual landings on both water and traditional runways.

Jude Augustine, Co-Founder & CEO at Tidal Flight, expresses the company's vision, stating, “Seaplanes present the opportunity to provide direct, low-infrastructure access to city centers, remote communities, and coastal destinations. Our aircraft brings a step-change reduction in operating costs and fuel burn to help bring that unique access to more people and more places with low to no emissions.”

Rob Ceravolo, Founder and CEO of Tropical Ocean Airways, affirms the shared commitment to sustainability, saying, “Looking ahead to 2030, we want to be a leader in sustainable aircraft and in the adoption of next-generation technology, and this agreement with Tidal helps us do that.”

With a strong emphasis on environmental consciousness, Tidal aims to make Polaris one of the most sustainable aircraft in its class. Touted to offer an impressive 85% reduction in fuel consumption compared to traditional aircraft, the Polaris model also promises reduced maintenance costs and a significant decrease in take-off noise levels.

Additionally, Tidal plans to incorporate Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in the near term and has the capability to transition to fully battery-electric or hydrogen-electric powertrains in the future, paving the way for zero-emission operations as technology advances.

Rob Ceravolo further underlines the positive impact of Tidal’s aircraft on business operations, stating, “Tidal’s quiet, comfortable, hybrid-electric aircraft helps us deliver on our sustainability goals while offering a superior product to our customers without compromising on range, payload, or cruise speed.”

Excitement continues to build around Tidal's groundbreaking Polaris model, with the company having secured a total of eight LOIs from seaplane and commuter operators worldwide, reflecting a potential order book value of approximately $650 million. Tidal Flight's rapid progress in achieving key milestones underscores the industry's confidence in their ability to revolutionize the future of seaplane aviation.

Stay tuned as Tidal Flight and Tropic Ocean Airways spearhead the movement towards sustainable and efficient air travel, setting new standards for eco-friendly aviation solutions.