Aviation Halts Electric Alice Production, Lays Off Staff

Eviation, based in Arlington, WA, has paused production of its electric Alice aircraft and laid off most staff, citing the need for additional funding. CEO Andre Stein confirmed the temporary halt, emphasizing the company’s focus on securing long-term partnerships to advance regional electric flight.

“We are proud of our progress in electric aviation, but this pause allows us to explore strategic options,” Stein said. While he did not mention layoffs, reports from The Air Current and The Seattle Times, citing affected employees, confirmed widespread job losses.

Eviation, majority-owned by Singapore’s Clermont Group, is committed to revolutionizing air travel with electric innovations. Clermont expressed ongoing support for the company’s vision despite operational challenges.

Founded in 2015, Eviation made headlines with Alice’s first test flight in 2022. The nine-seat aircraft, powered by MagniX engines and AVL batteries, achieved speeds of 260 knots. However, subsequent design changes delayed service entry to 2027.

The company reported over $5 billion in non-binding orders, including deals with UrbanLink Air Mobility, DHL Express, flyv, Cape Air, GlobalX, and Air New Zealand. Recent ownership complexities have reportedly complicated supplier relationships, contributing to the current production pause.

Eviation continues to seek partners to support its mission of sustainable, regional electric aviation.

Related News: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com