Beta Unveils Electric Aircraft in Paris and Signs MoU with Republic Airways

Beta Technologies Unveils Electric Aircraft at Paris Air Show and Signs MoU with Republic Airways

Beta Technologies, a pioneering electric aircraft manufacturer, has marked a significant milestone in sustainable aviation by unveiling its Alia CX300 conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft at the Paris Air Show. Concurrently, the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with U.S.-based Republic Airways, which will test the Alia CX300 for both cargo and passenger operations. This collaboration represents a notable endorsement as the aviation industry increasingly explores environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional fuel-powered aircraft.

The Alia CX300: A New Chapter in Electric Aviation

The Alia CX300 made history as the first electric aircraft to fly at the Paris Air Show. Beta is developing two variants of the Alia: the CTOL model and a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) version. Both share key design features, including a 50-foot wingspan, an H500A electric motor, and the capacity to carry five passengers or 1,250 pounds of cargo within a 200-cubic-foot cabin. The VTOL variant incorporates additional lift propellers and electric lift motors but remains largely identical to the CTOL model.

Beta intends to prioritize the CTOL version’s market entry, aiming to expedite certification processes and establish a foundation for the subsequent VTOL model. Kyle Clark, Beta’s founder and CEO, emphasized this strategy during a media briefing in Paris, stating, “Our market entry strategy here is cargo, logistics, and passenger in CTOL, utilizing all that manufacturing certification expertise into VTOL. Our belief is that actually puts us in the market in VTOL passenger operations faster than anybody else in this space.”

The Alia CX300’s European debut followed an extensive tour that began in Ireland, included flights across the United Kingdom, and culminated with a crossing of the English Channel to France. Earlier in the month, the aircraft also became the first all-electric plane to land at New York’s JFK airport, carrying a pilot and four passengers, including Republic Airways president Matt Koscal.

Clark highlighted the economic benefits of electric flight, citing a recent journey from the Hamptons to JFK that consumed only $7 worth of electricity, compared to $350 to $500 in fuel for a conventional aircraft. “The economics of this is awesome, [but] our customers need to see it to believe it,” he remarked.

Partnership with Republic Airways and Future Prospects

Under the terms of the new agreement, Beta will supply its Alia CTOL—and eventually the VTOL model—to Republic Airways for crew training by the end of the year. Republic will also begin identifying potential routes for the aircraft’s deployment. While Clark did not disclose the exact number of aircraft involved, he underscored the scale of the partnership, stating, “We’re talking about a lot.”

Despite the positive reception and growing interest from operators such as Republic Airways, Beta faces significant challenges ahead. The company must ensure that the Alia CX300 meets stringent regulatory standards and achieves commercial viability in a competitive market. Meanwhile, industry rivals are expected to intensify their efforts to develop electric or hybrid-electric aircraft, striving to keep pace with Beta’s technological advancements.

As Beta and Republic Airways advance their collaboration, the partnership signals increasing momentum for electric aviation, with the potential to transform the future landscape of regional air travel.