US regional freight charter carrier Alpine Air Express has tentatively agreed to acquire up to 75 of the French-developed Aura Aero ERA hybrid-electric aircraft.
The carrier, based in Utah, uses a fleet of some 80 regional turboprops including the Beech 99, 1900C and 1900D.
Alpine Air Express has signed a letter of intent for the ERA, which is intended to enter service before the end of the decade.
Chief executive Michael Dancy says the technology will provide “long-term cost controls” for its customers, adding that some regional cargo aircraft are “expensive to maintain”.
The ERA is being designed as a 19-seat passenger aircraft, powered by eight engines, and a planned cargo version will be able to transport 1.9t of freight.
Aura Aero reached an agreement with the airline last year covering support over such aspects as development of a suitable aircraft configuration and US FAA certification.
It states that the provisional acquisition by Alpine Air Express “marks a new stage” in the manufacturer’s US growth – it recently unveiled plans to build an ERA assembly line, plus a test and delivery centre, in Florida.
Aura Aero says the freight version of the ERA will have a “wide, full-opening cargo door” and a “well-matched combination of volume and payload”.
“The ERA cargo aircraft represents a significant leap forward in the cargo market, combining advanced green technology with operational efficiency,” it states.
“This freighter aircraft is poised to become a game-changer.”
Aura Aero, based at Toulouse Francazal airport, says agreements for the ERA cover a total of 570 aircraft.
“This [selection by Alpine Air Express] underscores the confidence in ERA’s ability to deliver not only in terms of environmental sustainability but also in operational cost savings and performance,” says chief executive Jeremy Caussade.
