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San Francisco, CA
Airflow, Inc., an aerospace company building a next-gen electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL)aircraft, today announced a letter of intent (LOI) with El Azufre, a 21st century clean-energy ski resort located in the Andes Mountains. Under the agreement of the LOI, El Azufre has committed to purchasing five of Airflow’s eSTOL aircraft in an effort to offer sustainable and convenient transportation to and from the remote resort. These next-gen aircraft are an important part of El Azufre’s mission to provide a luxury ski resort experience without harming the environment.
El Azufre has opted for Airflow aircraft powered by hydrogen, made possible by Airflow’s flexible approach to propulsion options. These aircraft will be fueled with locally produced green hydrogen that is generated at El Azufre using renewable, geothermal energy. The aircraft are also equipped with Airflow’s distributed propulsion system that allows them to safely land on El Azufre’s short runways that are also situated at 8,000 feet above sea level. El Azufre will operate these aircraft to provide a fast and convenient travel experience for their guests.
“El Azufre’s mission to create a luxurious resort experience that does not come at the expense of the environment is the type of forward-thinking that we’re looking for in a partnership. We’re proud that El Azufre trusts our first-of-its-kind eSTOL aircraft to be the primary mode of transportation for its guests,” said Marc Ausman, CEO and co-founder, Airflow. “Not only does this partnership contribute to bringing a clean energy resort to market, but it reinforces Airflow’s mission to build sustainable aircraft that evolve the aviation industry in its pursuit of decarbonization.”
“By using Airflow’s aircraft, El Azufre guests can arrive at our resort in just 20 minutes from the Malargüe, Mendoza, and Argentina international airports, while also making a less than 60minute flight possible from Mendoza’s fantastic vineyards,” said Daniel Nofal, founder of El Azufre. “Airflow’s aircraft are not only vital to the success and growth of El Azufre given its remote location, but they also support our sustainability efforts as we strive to do our part in the global fight against climate change.”
El Azufre currently operates cat skiing and heli skiing adventures and will open a full-service ski resort with lifts beginning in July 2023. With this expansion, the resort hopes to create an all-encompassing luxury experience without compromising the integrity of the environment.
