NOEMI Aerospace Expands into the Philippines with Agreement for Up to Five Electric Seaplanes
/NOEMI Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Philippine seaplane operator Horizon Sun Charters (HSC) for three NOEMI amphibious aircraft, with options for two additional units.
The agreement marks NOEMI's entry into the Philippines, an archipelago of 7,641 islands that is naturally suited for amphibious aviation. Many of the country's coastal resorts and island communities are separated by relatively short distances but require combinations of air, road, and boat transport to access.
Left to right: Raymond Schwab, Founder and Captain of Horizon Sun Charters;
Eric Lithun, Founder & CEO NOEMI Aerospace
Electric or hybrid seaplanes offer a new alternative: direct connections between cities, airports, coastal communities, and resorts without the need for conventional airport infrastructure at both ends.
For NOEMI, the Philippines represents another step in building its position in Southeast Asia, which the company views as one of the world's most promising regions for seaplane operations.
"The geography of the Philippines makes a very strong case for seaplanes," said Eric Lithun, Founder and CEO of NOEMI Aerospace. "With more than 7,600 islands, short distances, and a strong ambition to develop its tourism industry, the Philippines offers exactly the kind of environment NOEMI is being designed for. This agreement strengthens our position in Southeast Asia and provides further confirmation of the commercial potential for electric amphibious aviation in the region."
Horizon Sun Charters provides private seaplane services in Palawan, connecting destinations such as El Nido, Coron, and other coastal and island locations. Its development plans focus on improving direct access to resorts and remote destinations, reducing dependence on lengthy road and ferry transfers.
Under the MoU, NOEMI and HSC will explore the technical, financial, and regulatory requirements for introducing the aircraft in the Philippines, as well as potential routes and operational integration. HSC intends to acquire three aircraft, with options for two more.
“We believe NOEMI is very well suited to the future of seaplane operations in the Philippines,” said Raymond Schwab, Founder and Captain of Horizon Sun Charters. “With the hybrid version, we see the flexibility to operate a wide range of missions and serve the entire market. The ability to connect coastal resorts and island destinations directly and efficiently fits perfectly with our vision for a new generation of premium island access. NOEMI gives us an aircraft designed specifically for the kind of operations we want to build.”
The Philippines has significant potential for seaplane connectivity but currently has limited operations compared to established seaplane markets. Palawan, in particular, illustrates the opportunity: direct amphibious flights can bypass multiple transfers and provide access closer to remote resorts and island destinations.
The model has already been proven in other markets. In the Maldives, seaplanes have become an integral part of the tourism infrastructure, connecting international arrivals directly with island resorts and supporting a high-value tourism economy. Southeast Asia offers similar opportunities across archipelagic markets, where distances are relatively short and conventional airport infrastructure is limited or expensive to develop.
With the HSC agreement, NOEMI's commercial pipeline now spans operators and markets worldwide.
NOEMI's first aircraft is being developed as a fully electric amphibious aircraft for regional passenger transport, capable of operating from both water and conventional runways. Designed to carry nine passengers and one or two pilots, the platform can also be adapted for hybrid-electric or conventional fuel-based propulsion. Entry into service is targeted for 2030.
