Greek carrier Marathon Airlines and Kenyan regional operator Safarilink are among five companies to sign tentative agreements for the French-developed Aura Aero ERA hybrid-electric aircraft.
Wet-lease specialist Marathon is taking up to 40 of the 19-seat type, which is scheduled to fly in 2027 and enter service by 2030.
Aura Aero commenced production of initial prototype components earlier this year. The aircraft will be powered by eight Safran Group ENGINeUS motors with two turbogenerators.
Safarilink, which uses De Havilland Dash 8s and Cessna Caravans, has signed for up to six ERAs. The carrier operates out of Nairobi’s Wilson airport.
Aura Aero states that Lithuanian operator Jump Air, which uses a small number of ATR 72-500s, has provisionally agreed to take up to 20, while another European customer – its identity undisclosed – has signed for up to six.
Korean aircraft lessor Solyu, which has been seeking to build a portfolio of various new low-emission aircraft, is planning to take up to 40 ERAs.
Solyu had previously entered agreements for the Eviation Alice – a programme which was suspended earlier this year – as well as the Jekta PHA-ZE 100 amphibian.
Aura Aero claims that its pre-orders for the ERA have exceeded 650 aircraft as a result of the various letters of intent.
President and co-founder Jeremy Caussade says this is a “major milestone” for the company, which launched the ERA programme four years ago.
“The trust our customers place in us confirms the existence of a real market for this type of aircraft,” he adds. “And the backing of French and European institutions only strengthens that conviction.”
