FAA Clears Beta's Alia eVTOL for Passenger Demo Flights
By PRBAA News Desk
The FAA has granted approval for Beta Technologies to conduct passenger demonstration flights with its Alia eVTOL electric aircraft, announced by the Transportation Secretary at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas.
The FAA has issued a special airworthiness certificate to Beta Technologies allowing the company to operate its Alia eVTOL aircraft for passenger-carrying "market survey" demonstration flights. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the milestone, the first time a manufacturer has been approved to operate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft with passengers aboard for market research, while addressing the 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas on October 21, 2026.
The approval allows Beta to demonstrate the Alia to prospective operators and other potential customers, subject to FAA limitations. The fixed-wing Alia CX300 electric aircraft already holds a special airworthiness certificate, and Beta's aircraft types have now logged more than 250,000 nm in extensive flight tests and demonstrations in the U.S. and other locations.
Why it matters: As Puerto Rico explores advanced air mobility solutions, tracking the certification and operational progress of eVTOL platforms is essential for PRBAA members, particularly those evaluating future island and inter-island AAM operations.