A new Letter of Intent inked between Alice Springs-based Northern Territory Flying Services, and US-based electric plane developer Eviation will put Australia’s Outback at the vanguard of a carbon-free aviation future.

Northern Territory Air Services, a regional charter, scenic flight, and scheduled operator, has signed a Letter of Intent with Seattle, Washington-based Eviation to purchase 20 Alice all-electric commuter aircraft (NTAS).

The Eviation Alice can carry nine passengers or roughly 1,300 kilograms of cargo. It is the “first flight-proven all-electric commuter aircraft of its scale.”

Magni-electric X’s propulsion system allows for quiet, clean flight at a tenth of the expense of operating light jets or high-end turboprops.

According to the company that made the Eviation Alice, its normal fly operational range is between 250 km and 400 km.

Passengers travelling between Alice Springs, Mt. Isa, and Ayers Rock airports and more remote ports can use NTAS, which is headquartered in Alice Springs.

According to CEO Ian Scheyer, “the potential to design a sustainable route forward and in linking communities across the country” is what the airline is most excited about with the arrival of the new planes.

The Eviation Alice prototype made its maiden flight in late September of this year. With the first jet expected to enter service in 2027, the development and testing of the aircraft have progressed.

DHL Express, Cape Air, and GlobalX are among the other airlines that have placed orders for Eviation Alices.