Hybrid-Electric Seaplane Startup Expands with More Than $500,000 Investment in Chesapeake

RICHMOND, VA - Tidal Flight, a Hampton Roads-based startup developing the next generation of hybrid-electric amphibious aircraft, today announced plans to invest $538,000 to expand the company's operations in the Commonwealth. With this investment, Tidal Flight will lease 13,000 square feet of hangar space at Chesapeake Regional Airport and hire an additional six employees, tripling the company's existing workforce.

"Virginia is where vision-driven companies turn new, big ideas into real-world products," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "Tidal Flight's expansion in Chesapeake strengthens our leadership in next-generation aerospace while creating high-skill jobs and advancing cleaner, quieter technologies for coastal travel. With world-class talent and a collaborative ecosystem, Hampton Roads is the natural place to design, test, and build the aircraft of the future."

"Companies building advanced air mobility choose Virginia because we offer what innovators need to scale: access to specialized talent, a cooperative regulatory environment, and sites that support rapid prototyping and flight testing," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. "Tidal Flight's investment in Chesapeake will accelerate development of its hybrid-electric amphibious aircraft. The Commonwealth is proud to partner with the City of Chesapeake and the Hampton Roads Alliance to support this growth."

"We are excited to expand our presence here in Hampton Roads. This is a region with a strong combination of aerospace and naval engineering talent, incredible maritime assets, and deep defense sector presence that make it a perfect place to build the aircraft manufacturer of the future," said Tidal Flight Co-Founder & CEO Jude Augustine. "There is also a special feeling knowing that the aircraft we are building will have a huge positive impact in the coastal communities right here in Virginia."

Incubated in Hampton through the REaKTOR program in 2023, Tidal Flight is seeking to reshape coastal air travel through their Polaris aircraft, a hybrid-electric seaplane designed to carry between nine and 12 passengers on flights of 100-500 miles. Built with modern composite materials and an innovative power system, Polaris is expected to consume 85% less fuel than a traditional seaplane, lower operating costs by 40%, reduce takeoff noise by approximately 20 dB, and nearly eliminate corrosion. With the new hangar space, Tidal Flight intends to execute research, development, and testing of full-scale subsystems. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Hampton Roads Alliance and the City of Chesapeake to secure the project for Virginia.

"Congratulations to Tidal Flight on their expansion in Chesapeake. This announcement is particularly significant for the region and the alliance," said Hampton Roads Alliance President & CEO Doug Smith. "Tidal Flight chose to grow their company in Hampton Roads in 2023. They leveraged hard work and technical expertise with regional resources to develop a modern seaplane with global applications. Their success embodies the region's aspirations for growth and innovation within the aerospace industry, one of four sectors the alliance has prioritized as the foundation for our economic future, along with defense, energy, and logistics. The alliance looks forward to continuing to support Tidal Flight as they revolutionize affordable and sustainable coastal transportation."

"Chesapeake is proud to welcome Tidal Flight to the Chesapeake Regional Airport as they begin development of their Polaris hybrid-electric aircraft prototype," said Chesapeake Mayor Dr. Rick West. "The company's $538,000 investment will bring new activity to the airport and build on Chesapeake's role in advanced manufacturing and aerospace innovation. This investment is more than the outfitting of a hangar. It will support high-skill jobs and introduce a new approach to coastal and regional air travel, with Chesapeake serving as the base for early testing and development. As work on the Polaris prototype moves forward, Tidal Flight's presence at the Chesapeake Regional Airport enables Chesapeake to play a role in the emerging hybrid-electric aviation sector and demonstrates the city's ability to support innovative companies as they grow."

VEDP will support Tidal Flight's job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state funded, demonstrating Virginia's commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

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