London-based zero-emissions regional turboprop aircraft lessor Monte Aircraft Leasing has signed an agreement with Mack Air, Costa Rica Green Airways and with Dovetail Electric Aviation to explore the conversion of their fleets to zero emission propulsion technologies.

Monte will work with Maun, Botswana-based Mack Air and with Costa Rica Green Airways to identify the most suitable zero emission propulsion technology for their operations and will then offer financing for the conversion of the fleets once this technology is approved and certified.

Mack Air is an air charter airline that operates a fleet of 17 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft on scheduled, charter and scenic flights. It is committed to protecting and conserving the wildlife of Botswana and the KAZA region.

Costa Rica Green Airways is a domestic airline based in San Jose that operates a fleet of Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft on both scheduled domestic and charter flights. The airline is committed to environmental stewardship, improving quality of life and local nature conservation. Monte is excited to form this partnership on a journey to becoming carbon neutral by 2027.

Under its agreement with Dovetail, Monte will purchase up to 50 powertrains to enable battery-electric conversions on new and existing Cessna Caravan aircraft, and hydrogen-electric conversions on new and existing Beechcraft King Air aircraft. Dovetail is targeting certification of the battery-electric powered aircraft by 2025.

As part of the deal, Monte will become Dovetail's preferred financing provider for aircraft conversions, and Dovetail will become Monte's exclusive powertrain provider for battery-electric Cessna Caravans and for hydrogen-electric Beechcraft King Airs.

Monte investment director Timothy Eyre says: “We are excited to announce the next step in our partnership with Dovetail, with whom we have been working for many months. This agreement further strengthens our position as the lessor of choice for financing zero-emission powertrains.”