Bristow Secures Early Delivery Slots for Electra EL9 eSTOL Aircraft
Bristow Group has secured early delivery positions for the hybrid-electric EL9 Ultra Short aircraft after finalising an order and pre-delivery payment agreement with electric short-take-off-and-landing manufacturer Electra.aero. The agreement gives Bristow access to the first five delivery slots for the EL9, with option rights covering up to 45 additional aircraft.
The move builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in 2021, under which Bristow committed to jointly develop and potentially induct up to 50 Electra aircraft once the programme matures. By converting part of that commitment into firm delivery positions, Bristow is signalling increased confidence in the EL9’s technical progress and commercial potential.
Bristow operates a global fleet supporting offshore energy, government services, search and rescue, and advanced air mobility projects. The company has increasingly positioned itself as an early adopter of next-generation aircraft technologies, particularly those offering reduced emissions, lower operating costs, and enhanced access to constrained or remote locations.
The EL9 Ultra Short is designed to combine hybrid-electric propulsion with extreme short-field performance. According to Electra.aero, the aircraft will be capable of operating from runways as short as 150 feet, or around 45 metres, a performance level that could dramatically expand the number of usable landing sites compared with conventional fixed-wing aircraft.
The nine-seat EL9 is expected to offer a range of approximately 330 nautical miles, or 611 kilometres, while carrying either nine passengers or up to 3,000 pounds, roughly 1,360 kilograms, of payload. This performance profile positions the aircraft for regional passenger services, logistics missions, and specialised operations where infrastructure is limited or nonexistent.
Electra.aero began the Federal Aviation Administration certification process for the EL9 in December 2025, marking a key milestone in the programme’s development. While the timeline to entry into service has not been publicly disclosed, securing early delivery slots suggests Bristow is planning for potential deployment soon after certification is achieved.
Industry observers note that Bristow’s involvement could play a significant role in validating the EL9 concept, particularly for commercial and government missions requiring reliable, high-utilisation operations. As a global operator with established safety and maintenance frameworks, Bristow is well positioned to support early service introduction and scale-up.
The agreement also reflects growing interest among established aviation operators in hybrid-electric and eSTOL platforms, as the industry looks for practical pathways to decarbonisation and improved regional connectivity. Aircraft capable of ultra-short-field operations could enable new point-to-point routes, reduce dependence on major airports, and lower overall infrastructure costs.
For Bristow, the EL9 represents a potential complement to both its helicopter operations and future advanced air mobility initiatives, offering fixed-wing efficiency combined with unprecedented operational flexibility. As certification progresses, the partnership between Bristow and Electra.aero is expected to remain a closely watched example of how next-generation aircraft transition from concept to commercial reality.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com