Bremen-based regional startup Evia Aero has signed a letter of intent with US manufacturer Tidal Flight covering ten firm orders and ten options for the Polaris amphibious aircraft. The transaction remains contingent on a final purchase contract and certification recognition by EASA.
The Polaris is engineered to operate from conventional runways and water surfaces, accommodating up to 13 occupants with single-pilot operations. The aircraft uses purely electric propulsion on short hops, whereas longer sectors engage a Delta Hawk kerosene piston engine operating as a generator. To date, only a 1:6 scale model has flown, with ground evaluations underway for propulsion and onboard systems. The manufacturer plans a full-scale prototype maiden flight in 2028, targeting customer deliveries from 2030.
Evia Aero and Tidal Flight are examining potential routes linking coastal and island destinations without requiring runway infrastructure. Evaluated city pairs include connections between Lake Zurich and Monaco harbour, an electric service between Valletta and Gozo, alongside longer hybrid legs of roughly 370 to 400 kilometers such as Amsterdam to London or Helsinki to Stockholm.
Created in 2022 to establish regional flight operations and on-site airport charging infrastructure, Evia Aero previously signed agreements for 25 Eviation Alice, 15 hydrogen-converted Britten-Norman Islanders, and ten MD Aircraft MDA1 models, none of which currently operate in commercial service.
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The project outlines emerging single-pilot operations combining hybrid powertrains with water aerodrome infrastructure under future EASA airworthiness certification.
