Ed Wegel, the ex-CEO of Global Crossing (GlobalX) Airlines, has announced the launch of a new startup airline, Zoom!.
The airline will operate in the US on the now-defunct airline Air Florida’s narrowbody network and plans to use Embraer E-Jets in its fleet, powered by GE CF34 engines, before moving on to A220 aircraft.
Wegel, who currently heads up finance firm Avi8 Air Capital, had said earlier in the year that the airline, originally named Air Flo, would operate using A220 aircraft, but now, he has seemingly changed tack and opted for Embraer jets to start, with a name change. Little else is currently known about the operational plan of this new airline.
Photo: Zoom!
In a post shared on LinkedIn, Wegel said: “We are moving forward on our scheduled airline operations, and we will launch with the Embraer E190/195 E1, as we await A220s in a few years. The E1 gives us great range with an excellent engine type.”
He also revealed that Zoom! would “work closely” with Miami-based eVTOL operator UrbanLink, a company also owned by Wegel.
According to Wegel, the current plans are that Zoom! will source its pilots from UrbanLink. Pilots will “start with 500 hours [and] will build flight hours” until they can move on to Zoom’s E190s. “We will home grow out cockpit crews,” Wegel added.
Earlier this week, eVTOL developer Lilium announced a partnership with UrbanLink, which placed a firm order for 20 Lilium Jets, with options for 20 more.
Currently, there is no agreed flight training certification for eVTOL operation, and the proposed “500 hours” of flight training the UrbanLink pilots will start with will likely need to increase to the necessary 1,500 hours for pilots in the United States.
