Solyu Company Signs 4 Electric Aircraft

Korean Leasing Group Signs For eViator Electric AircraftSouth Korean leasing group Solyu Company has agreed to buy up to 40 of the MDA1 eViator electric commuter being developed by German start up MD Aircraft. Under a letter of intent announced on July 1, Solyu committed to an initial 20 examples of the nine-seater, with options for another 20.MD Aircraft is targeting a first flight with a technology demonstrator in 2028. In November, during its Series A funding round, the company reported that it had progressed from preliminary to detailed design and was producing moulds for its horizontal stabilizer.With a battery-electric propulsion system that has yet to be fully defined, the MDA1 is expected to have a range of up to around 216 nm. The design features an interchangeable “power bay” for changing out batteries that could potentially be adapted for future hydrogen-electric or hybrid-electric configurations.According to Solyu, it will deploy the eViators to support new regional air mobility services in Korea and other countries. The company has previously signed sales agreements with electric seaplane developer Jekta, as well as with Eviation for the now defunct Alice nine-seater and France’s Aura Aero for the planned 19-seat ERA hybrid-electric regional airliner. It also has an agreement with Japanese eVTOL aircraft developer SkyDrive for its three-seat model.“This letter of intent represents an important milestone in our strategy to advance sustainable aviation globally,” said Solyu president Andrew Claerbout. “The MDA1 combines operational efficiency, environmental responsibility, and regional connectivity that aligns with our vision for the future of air transportation. We look forward to working closely with MD Aircraft as the program progresses toward certification and entry into service.”Aviation Coalition Supports California Fuel Tax BillA coalition of six aviation associations including NATA, AOPA, EAA, GAMA, NBAA, and VAI sent a letter of support for California Senate Bill 661, which would curb decades of aviation fuel tax diversion in the state.The bill would move California toward compliance with FAA requirements that aviation fuel tax revenue be used solely for aviation purposes, according to the June 24 letter to bill sponsor Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-California). The associations specifically backed Senate Bill 661’s allocation of 20% of revenue to general aviation airports.“The state’s 214 general aviation airports offer tremendous public benefit, providing essential support for firefighting, disaster relief, medical care, and law enforcement services; enabling local business development and job creation; and providing air transportation in communities without scheduled air service,” the associations wrote.NATA’s managing director of industry affairs, Juliet Jordan, testified before the California Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee, which advanced the bill unanimously. Senate Bill 661 next heads to the Appropriations Committee before consideration by the full assembly.WingX: Bizjet Usage Flat Ahead of Holiday WeekendGlobal business jet activity declined last week by 0.7% compared to the previous week, according to the latest weekly usage report from industry data tracker WingX. However, activity was up 3.7% from a year ago.North America was flat year over year, up just 0.2% overall. While California flights were down 2.3%, activity in Florida increased by 5.7%. Thus far for 2026, larger aircraft, including ultra-long-range and super-midsize jets, have fared better than their smaller siblings, up 9.4% and 8.5%, respectively.In Europe, activity declined for the second straight week, down 2.6%. While France led in usage (+6.6%), Italy (-13.2%), Germany (-6.6%), and Switzerland (-1.3%) all saw decreases. Business jet usage for the rest of the world was relatively static.Looking ahead to this weekend in the U.S., New York’s business jet traffic consistently contracts over the Independence Day holiday, according to the JetNet subsidiary. This year, however, the holiday lands on a Saturday, and the city is averaging 1,300 arrivals over a typical weekend this summer. Two other events could affect the usual drawdown in traffic for July 4: Taylor Swift’s wedding and a FIFA World Cup match in New Jersey, both of which could pull additional traffic into the New York area that would not otherwise see a lot of activity.South Africa’s Soterjets Launches Fractional ProgramSoterJets, a subsidiary of South Africa’s CFS Aviation Group, has launched a fractional aircraft ownership program that the company said is the first of its kind in Africa. The program’s first aircraft, a Pilatus PC-12 NG, was delivered in April and is now fully subscribed by four co-owners.“For many years, fractional ownership has been an underserved opportunity in the regional business aviation market,” said CFS Aviation Group CEO Justin Reeves. “The speed at which we fully subscribed and successfully delivered our first aircraft demonstrates both the demand for this model and the confidence that investors have placed in the SoterJets proposition.”SoterJets said it has secured a significant commitment toward a second PC-12 turboprop single. Co-owners acquire a beneficial interest in an aircraft while SoterJets manages operational requirements, including crew, maintenance, airworthiness compliance, insurance, and administration. The program bills for occupied flight hours and fixed monthly management fees, according to SoterJets.CFS Aviation Group has operated and supported PC-12s since 2007. SoterJets said future preowned PC-12 additions will be selected to the same standard ahead of delivery of its first new-production PC-12 PRO in 2028.