Republic Airways Holdings has signed a memorandum of understanding with BETA Technologies to explore the use of electric aircraft in regional operations, the companies announced Monday at the 2025 Paris Air Show.
Under the agreement, BETA will provide a pre-certified version of its ALIA conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) electric aircraft to Republic’s wholly owned subsidiary, Brickyard Connection, LLC. The aircraft will be delivered in late 2025 for performance assessments, route validation, and evaluation of use cases for both passenger and cargo missions, the two companies stated.
“We’ve been working with BETA for the past 18 months and continue to be impressed — not just by the performance and design of their CTOL aircraft, but by the company’s leadership, culture, and values,” said Matt Koscal, Republic’s president and chief commercial officer.
Republic’s CEO, Bryan Bedford, was tapped by President Donald Trump to lead the Federal Aviation Administration. During his Senate confirmation hearing last week, he called electric aircraft “exciting,” adding that he’s been “on the pointy end of the stick.”
He said electric aircraft could also help reconnect smaller communities with the broader aviation system.
BETA Founder and CEO Kyle Clark said the initiative underscores Republic’s forward-looking approach: “The six-seat ALIA is just an entry point for a great transformation of aircraft to an electric future.”
As part of the agreement, the two companies will also explore the deployment of BETA’s standardized charging infrastructure at select Brickyard Connection locations to support future electric aviation operations.
The announcement follows several recent milestones for BETA Technologies, including ALIA’s daily demonstration flights at this year’s Paris Air Show — the first time an electric aircraft has flown at the event — and a recent passenger flight into a New York City airport with Koscal onboard.
BETA Technologies is based in Vermont and manufactures electric aircraft along with associated technologies, including propulsion systems and charging infrastructure. Republic operates a fleet of more than 240 Embraer 170/175 aircraft, providing scheduled regional service on behalf of American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express.
