The article outlines how Jekta is opening a new chapter in amphibious aviation with the hydrogen-electric PHA-ZE 100 flying boat. Originating from early discussions with Indian policymakers on using waterways instead of building costly airports, the programme has evolved into a clean-sheet aircraft designed for sustainable regional mobility. Combining distributed electric propulsion, hydrogen fuel-cell technology and true flying-boat architecture, the PHA-ZE 100 targets markets across India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. With strong economics, reduced infrastructure requirements and growing hydrogen ecosystems, Jekta positions amphibious aviation not as a niche revival but as a scalable, future-proof transport model—supported by a rapidly expanding global orderbook and entry into service targeted for 2030–2031.
The future of amphibious aviation is being shaped in unexpected places, and few stories illustrate this better than Jekta’s. What began as a conversation in Delhi about unlocking India’s waterways instead of building traditional airports has evolved into one of the most ambitious clean-sheet aircraft programmes in modern regional aviation. Today, the hydrogen-electric PHA-ZE 100 flying boat is positioning itself to redefine mobil- ity across India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, supported by growing demand, advancing hydrogen infrastructure and an orderbook spanning multiple continents. At the centre of this transformation is GEORGE ALAFINOV, CEO and Co-founder of Jekta.


