Joly Airlines, a local startup in South Africa, has taken a major stride in aviation development this month and has placed an order for 30 ME-1A amphibious aircraft, produced by US-based Mallard Enterprises. This partnership, which was announced on March 1, 2025, is a significant move toward providing much-needed access and connectivity throughout Southern Africa and the rest of the continent.
The move is part of a larger initiative to link under-served communities that are often difficult to reach with traditional land-based aircraft. Joly Airlines has seemingly barged into the marketplace, not only offering a lifeline to SAA, but also promising diversification and alternative options for charter services with a difference.
A Vision for Regional Connectivity
JOLY Airlines, founded in July 2021, has big aspirations to reshape the African aviation landscape. According to Shawn J. van der Merwe, JOLY’s Group Executive Chairman and CEO, the goal is to offer an environmentally sustainable and reliable travel experience to underserved regions. The ME-1A aircraft, designed to operate in both land and water, will provide much-needed access to previously inaccessible areas, significantly improving regional connectivity.
In a statement, Dan Peabody, CEO of Mallard Enterprises, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the shared vision between the two companies to increase connectivity across the region. The ME-1A, which is still in development, will serve as a crucial element in JOLY’s plan to “redefine the African aviation industry” and “bring families together across towns and continents.”
The ME-1A: A Game-Changing Amphibious Aircraft
The ME-1A is a state-of-the-art amphibious aircraft designed to operate on both land and water. This innovative 19-passenger plane offers a range of over 350 nautical miles with a full passenger load and luggage or up to 980 nautical miles with a VIP configuration, seating 10 passengers. The ME-1A is poised to offer greater speed and flexibility than many traditional aircraft, enabling operators to serve more destinations within shorter periods.
Key features of the ME-1A include:
- Twin Turboprop Engines: Offering fuel-efficient and reliable performance.
- Single Pilot Operation: The aircraft is designed for operation by a single pilot, simplifying operations and reducing crew costs.
- Amphibious Capability: The ME-1A can take off and land on both water and land, offering greater operational flexibility.
- Sustainable Design: The aircraft is designed with future-proofing in mind, including the capability to transition to electric or hydrogen-electric propulsion as those technologies mature.
- Safety: The ME-1A is built with a low center of gravity and a hull-based design, which makes it safer in the event of water-based upsets, a common risk with traditional floatplanes.
Environmental Sustainability at the Forefront
One of the standout features of the ME-1A is its environmental credentials. The aircraft is designed with green aviation goals in mind, with Mallard Enterprises committing to the net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.
The aircraft’s twin turboprop engines are certified to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. In addition, the aircraft is designed to transition to electric or hydrogen-electric propulsion as the technology and infrastructure evolve, ensuring that the ME-1A remains at the cutting edge of sustainable aviation.
Strategic Importance for Africa
JOLY Airlines is strategically focused on connecting multiple communities within South Africa to several regional countries across Africa. The flexibility and versatility of the ME-1A make it an ideal solution for the continent, where many areas are difficult to access by conventional aircraft.
Mohan Chunduri, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Mallard Enterprises, emphasized that JOLY’s mission to bridge the connectivity gap in South Africa aligns perfectly with Mallard’s goals. He expressed excitement over the growing use of seaplanes in Africa, a market that is ripe for expansion.
The Potential of Amphibious Aviation in Africa
This order from JOLY Airlines is not an isolated one. In November 2024, Mallard Enterprises signed a letter of intent (LOI) for 20 ME-1A aircraft with AeroTech Support Services, and earlier in 2024, MEHAIR, an Indian operator, also placed an order for 50 ME-1A amphibious planes. These partnerships indicate a growing demand for amphibious aircraft that can serve remote and underserved regions—needs that are increasingly being recognized worldwide.
In the African context, the ME-1A represents a breakthrough in terms of both accessibility and sustainability. Many African nations, especially island and coastal regions, are underserved by traditional aviation infrastructure. With its ability to operate in a variety of environments, the ME-1A could be key to transforming air travel in the continent’s hardest-to-reach places.
The Future of the ME-1A
The ME-1A’s versatility, cutting-edge technology, and environmentally friendly design make it a promising solution for the future of regional air travel. By offering a combination of speed, amphibious capability, and cost-efficiency, the ME-1A has the potential to reshape the landscape of aviation in South Africa and across Africa.
As JOLY Airlines and Mallard Enterprises work to bring the ME-1A to market, their collaboration stands as a model of innovation in the aviation sector. The ME-1A’s introduction to African skies promises not only to enhance regional connectivity but also to support the aviation industry’s broader sustainability goals, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of air travel in the region.
