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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Tidal Flight Expands Chesapeake, Virginia, Hangar Operations

04/19/2026
Tidal Flight, a company developing hybrid-electric amphibious aircraft, plans to expand its operations in Chesapeake, Virginia. The $538,000 project is expected to create six jobs.

The investment will include the lease of 13,000 square feet of hangar space at Chesapeake Regional Airport that will be used to research, develop, and test full-scale subsystems.

“We are excited to expand our presence here in Hampton Roads. This is a region with a strong combination of aerospace and naval engineering talent, incredible maritime assets, and deep defense sector presence that make it a perfect place to build the aircraft manufacturer of the future,” said Tidal Flight Co-Founder & CEO Jude Augustine. “There is also a special feeling knowing that the aircraft we are building will have a huge positive impact in the coastal communities right here in Virginia.”

Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) will support Tidal Flight’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

“Companies building advanced air mobility choose Virginia because we offer what innovators need to scale: access to specialized talent, a cooperative regulatory environment, and sites that support rapid prototyping and flight testing,” noted Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. “Tidal Flight’s investment in Chesapeake will accelerate development of its hybrid-electric amphibious aircraft. The Commonwealth is proud to partner with the City of Chesapeake and the Hampton Roads Alliance to support this growth.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Hampton Roads Alliance and the City of Chesapeake to secure the project.

“Congratulations to Tidal Flight on their expansion in Chesapeake. This announcement is particularly significant for the region and the alliance,” added Hampton Roads Alliance President & CEO Doug Smith. “Tidal Flight chose to grow their company in Hampton Roads in 2023. They leveraged hard work and technical expertise with regional resources to develop a modern seaplane with global applications. Their success embodies the region's aspirations for growth and innovation within the aerospace industry, one of four sectors the alliance has prioritized as the foundation for our economic future, along with defense, energy, and logistics. The alliance looks forward to continuing to support Tidal Flight as they revolutionize affordable and sustainable coastal transportation.”

Tidal Flight is an aerospace company developing electric seaplanes for regional passenger and cargo transportation. The company specializes in aircraft design, engineering, and testing for water-based operations.

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