Tidal Flight Signs $100M LOI for Polaris Seaplane
Tidal Flight, a Virginia-based aerospace innovator, has taken a major leap forward in sustainable aviation by signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) worth over $100 million with Florida-based Tropic Ocean Airways. The agreement, announced on February 11, 2025, during the Future Opportunities for Seaplanes and Amphibious Aviation 2025 (FOSAA25) conference in Miami, outlines plans for Tropic Ocean Airways to introduce up to 20 of Tidal Flight’s hybrid-electric seaplanes—named Polaris—into its fleet.
Tropic Ocean Airways, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale and founded in 2009 by former US Navy fighter pilot Rob Ceravolo, is renowned as a leader in seaplane aviation. The airline currently operates a fleet of 14 Cessna 208 Grand Caravans—both wheeled and amphibious—with an FAA-certified two-pilot crew. The new LOI represents a pivotal move for the carrier as it looks to expand its service offerings across private charters, scheduled flights, and yacht transfers throughout Florida, the Bahamas, and the Northeast US.
At the heart of the agreement is the Polaris seaplane, a clean-sheet, hybrid-electric design that aims to revolutionize regional air travel by offering significant improvements in efficiency and sustainability. Designed to carry between 9 to 12 passengers along with their baggage, Polaris is engineered for versatility with the ability to land on both waterways and runways. According to Tidal Flight, the aircraft’s advanced design will result in an 85% reduction in fuel burn on typical sector lengths compared to conventional aircraft. This breakthrough not only lowers operating costs and minimizes corrosion-related maintenance but also delivers a notable 20-decibel reduction in take-off noise.
“Our aircraft presents a step-change in operating costs and fuel burn, enabling direct, low-infrastructure access to city centers, remote communities, and coastal destinations—all with low to no emissions,” said Jude Augustine, Co-Founder & CEO of Tidal Flight. He emphasized that Polaris represents a clear pathway to zero-emissions operation, thanks to its capability to run on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in the near term, and its future potential to be outfitted with either a fully battery-electric or hydrogen-electric powertrain.
Rob Ceravolo, Founder and CEO of Tropic Ocean Airways, highlighted the strategic significance of the partnership: “We have been an industry leader in seaplane aviation, and as we look ahead to 2030, our goal is to lead in sustainable aircraft and next-generation technology adoption. This agreement with Tidal Flight not only enhances our revenue generation capability but also drives down operating costs without compromising our business case for electrification.”
Ceravolo also pointed to Tidal Flight’s rapid progress in key technical milestones—such as completing a 1/6-scale prototype flight and a successful towing tank test campaign—as strong indicators of the team’s ability to deliver on their ambitious goals.
The Polaris LOI with Tropic Ocean Airways is just one of eight LOIs Tidal Flight has received from seaplane and commuter operators worldwide, collectively representing a potential order book value of approximately $650 million. This robust interest underscores the growing global demand for sustainable, cost-effective air mobility solutions.
As Tidal Flight continues to innovate within the hybrid-electric sector, the Polaris seaplane is set to transform regional aviation, offering greener, quieter, and more efficient travel options that can connect people and communities in ways never before possible.
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