Australian independent regional and domestic airline Regional Express (Rex) has announced an investment in Dovetail Electric Aviation, the company pioneering the conversion of turbine-powered aircraft to electric, emission-free propulsion.
In a recent media release, Rex said it had taken a 20 per cent stake in Dovetail and formalises the strategic partnership between the two companies.
The collaboration builds on the Memorandum of Understanding between Rex and Dovetail which was announced on 21 July 2022.
The investment comes on the heels of the completion of initial ground tests on Dovetail’s small-scale Electric Propulsion System, which marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to develop electric, emission-free propulsion.
Rex is also appointing one of its board members to join Dovetail’s board as part of the equity participation agreement.
Dovetail was recently granted a $3 million grant through the federal government’s Cooperative Research Centres Project program. The funding will be used to accelerate the development of Dovetail’s development of electric propulsion systems for aircraft used on regional routes operated by Rex and other regional airlines.
In a statement, Dovetail said the grant also makes it well-positioned to lead the charge in sustainable aviation while ensuring that regional air travel remains accessible and affordable to all.
“Dovetail is excited to continue working closely with Rex and other partners to bring its cutting-edge technology to the forefront of the aviation industry. As the world moves towards a greener future, Dovetail is proud to be at the forefront of innovation in electric aviation,” the company said.
