Regional aviation company Surf Air Mobility has moved its Air Operations Center to North Texas.
The Los Angeles-based company transitioned its operations center to Addison Airport to consolidate departments and establish itself as one of the country’s premier aviation hubs.
The company aims to reinvent regional flying through electrification. Surf Air has been working to electrify the popular Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft as part of this initiative. The company said that moving to the Dallas region will help the carrier tap into more highly skilled talent.
“Our decision to move our air operations center to Dallas reflects our commitment to excellence in the aviation industry and is another achievement within our transformation plan,” CEO and COO Deanna White stated in a February 25 press release.
“Dallas offers a thriving aviation environment, and we’re confident that centralizing our operations will further streamline our business and continue to lead the regional air mobility industry forward.”
The company is working toward certification of electric powertrain technology to bring electric-powered commuter flights to North Texas. Surf Air believes that by starting with electrifying small planes, the industry can gradually move up to larger aircraft.
According to the company, regional flights between 50 and 500 miles account for roughly 14% of aviation’s CO2 emissions. Surf Air says more than 15,000 turboprop aircraft that can seat between nine and 19 people are flying these routes and are primed for electrification.
Surf Air will be hiring new staff as part of the move. The company seeks to fill maintenance, safety and regulatory compliance, finance and accounting, and operations roles at the Addison Airport AOC.
The move to North Texas means Surf Air, one of the country’s largest commuter airlines, will enjoy a more centralized U.S. location, close to major airports.
North Texas continues to attract companies looking to improve their proximity to major U.S. population centers, such as logistics companies. Late last year, for example, the U.K.-based courier Speedy Freight opened a new office in Irving, citing its central location to serve its clients better.