Electra, UrbanV, and Signature Aviation have announced a memorandum of understanding to establish a new regional travel model dubbed Direct Aviation. The collaboration aims to bypass the high costs typically associated with building custom vertiport infrastructure by utilizing Signature Aviation’s existing global network of private terminals.
By integrating Electra’s EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft into these established facilities, the companies plan to serve regional routes that are currently underserved by commercial airlines. The EL9 is designed for ultra-short takeoff and landing, requiring only 150 feet of space. This performance capability allows the aircraft to operate within smaller, existing infrastructure footprints rather than requiring massive capital investment in greenfield sites.
UrbanV will contribute its expertise in vertiport development to the project, helping to coordinate operations across the combined network. The initiative targets the 50 to 250-mile travel segment, where ground transport is often congested and traditional aviation remains impractical. The parties will now begin identifying specific access points for potential deployment, focusing on areas with high demand for point-to-point regional connectivity.