Tidal Flight Amplifies Virginia Operations with a $538K Investment
On April 7, 2026, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced that Tidal Flight—a startup based in Hampton Roads that’s developing next-generation hybrid-electric amphibious aircraft—plans to invest $538,000 to expand its 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. This move will triple the company’s existing workforce and enable the acceleration of the development of its Polaris aircraft, a hybrid-electric seaplane designed to carry between nine and 12 passengers on flights of 100-500 miles.
The Polaris, built with modern composite materials and an innovative power system, is expected to consume 85 percent less fuel than a traditional seaplane. This will lower operating costs by 40 percent, 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.
Incubated in Hampton through the REaKTOR program in 2023, Tidal Flight has already secured over $800 million in aircraft orders from seaplane and commuter airlines worldwide. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Hampton Roads Alliance and the City of Chesapeake to secure the project for Virginia.
Source: Governor of Virginia