Signature Aviation, BETA Technologies and Republic Airways have completed a series of electric aviation demonstrations in Florida aimed at accelerating the commercial adoption of battery-powered regional aircraft.
The three-day trial programme took place at Kissimmee Gateway Airport and followed earlier cold-weather demonstrations in Vermont and New York.
The companies said the combined hot- and cold-weather tests demonstrated that electric aircraft could support passenger, cargo and medical transport missions across short-haul regional routes.
Focus on regional connectivity
The demonstrations centred on BETA’s ALIA conventional take-off and landing electric aircraft, which the company says is designed for short-distance commercial operations.
Florida has emerged as a key testing ground for advanced air mobility projects due to its large number of regional airports and high volume of short-haul air traffic.
BETA said it had already installed charging infrastructure at six airports across the state, including facilities at Gainesville Regional Airport, Tallahassee International Airport and Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport.
The latest installation at Kissimmee Gateway Airport includes a BETA Charge Cube and thermal management system designed to provide rapid charging in Florida’s high-temperature and humid climate.
Simon Newitt, BETA’s head of sales and support, said the demonstrations showed how aircraft operators and infrastructure providers could work together to prepare electric aviation for commercial use.
He said the company’s ALIA aircraft had already flown more than 140,000 nautical miles globally.
Airlines explore future electric operations
Republic Airways said the project formed part of its broader assessment of advanced air mobility technologies and their potential role in regional transport networks.
Matt Koscal, president of Republic Airways, said the airline was evaluating how electric aircraft could expand local air services while improving efficiency and sustainability.
The airline has been working with BETA to test and assess the operational performance of the ALIA aircraft in real-world conditions.
Signature Aviation, which operates fixed-base operations and airport support services worldwide, is focusing on the development of charging infrastructure and operational support systems for electric aircraft.
Derek DeCross, the company’s chief commercial officer, said the transition to electric aviation would depend on integrating charging facilities into existing airport environments.
Orlando event highlights Florida ambitions
The demonstration programme concluded with an industry event on 18 May at Orlando International Airport, where more than 120 aviation executives, government officials and community representatives gathered to discuss the future of electric aviation.
The event was hosted at Signature Aviation’s Arnold Palmer Hangar.
Lance Lyttle, chief executive of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said Florida was positioning itself as a major centre for electric aviation development.
He said airports were preparing infrastructure and operational systems to support future cargo, passenger and medical transport missions using electric aircraft.
BETA is also expected to work alongside Republic Airways and Metro Aviation on logistics and medical transport operations within the state as part of wider advanced air mobility trials.