Bristow Secures First Delivery Slot for eSTOL Electra EL9

The Bristow Group has made a significant move in influencing the future of regional and point-to-point air mobility by signing a pioneering Pre-Delivery Payment (PDP) deposit agreement with Electra. This agreement secures the first delivery slot for the EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft.

The multimillion-dollar agreement converts Bristow’s earlier Letter of Intent into binding commercial terms for five EL9 aircraft, all scheduled for delivery during the model’s first year of production, subject to certification. In addition to securing delivery slot one, the agreement includes options for a further 45 aircraft under the same fixed terms, positioning Bristow as a launch customer and early leader in Electra’s Direct Aviation concept.

The EL9 is designed to redefine regional connectivity, combining fixed-wing efficiency with ultra-short take-off and landing capability. The aircraft can operate from spaces as small as 150 feet, roughly the size of a rugby field, while carrying up to nine passengers with baggage or 1.4 tonnes of cargo. It offers a range of 330 nautical miles, extending to a maximum ferry range of 1,100 nautical miles with IFR reserves.

By locking in the earliest delivery positions, Bristow reinforces its strategy to deploy advanced air mobility solutions at scale. The company plans to operate the EL9 across a range of turnkey services, targeting corporate customers, premium leisure destinations and resorts, major and regional airline partners and government agencies supporting essential public service routes.

Bristow and Electra’s partnership spans more than five years, beginning with a pre-order agreement signed in 2021. The latest PDP agreement deepens that relationship, aligning it with commercial aviation industry standards and demonstrating growing confidence in the maturity of hybrid-electric technology and its operational potential.

With more than 70 years of experience operating complex helicopter and fixed-wing missions worldwide, Bristow brings deep operational credibility to the programme. Its history of introducing new aircraft types into demanding environments positions the company as a natural launch partner for the EL9.

The aircraft’s ultra-short performance is expected to unlock thousands of new access points, ranging from underutilised runways to non-traditional sites such as fields and parking areas, dramatically reducing travel times and strengthening airline feeder networks. This capability underpins Electra’s Direct Aviation model, which aims to bring air travel closer to where people live and work without the need for costly new infrastructure.

“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, Chief Executive Officer of Electra. “By reserving five delivery slots in the EL9’s first year of production, including slot one, they have made a powerful statement of confidence in Electra, the EL9 aircraft, and the future of Direct Aviation.” Allen added that “Bristow’s early commitment will help accelerate the introduction of a new category of air mobility, delivering fast, flexible and sustainable transportation options to communities, travellers and airlines alike.”

From Bristow’s perspective, the EL9 represents a step-change in what regional aviation can offer. “Electra’s EL9 fundamentally changes what regional air mobility can be,” said Dave Stepanek, Bristow’s Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer. “Its ultra-short performance, quiet operation and lower operating costs create opportunities that simply do not exist with today’s aircraft.”

By securing the first delivery slot and early production positions, Bristow aims to lead the commercial rollout of advanced air mobility services, extending its legacy of innovation while opening new markets and redefining how people and goods move over short and medium distances.