Asian Aerospace has signed a letter of intent for three electric-thrust, 19 seat ERA regional aircraft with Aura Aero.

As part of its desire to operate flights that are more respectful of the environment, Asian Aerospace, a non-scheduled operator based in the Philippines and operating domestic and regional flights from Manila, Cebu and Davao, has selected Aura Aero and its hybrid-electric aircraft ERA to link the many islands in the Philippine region. This will enable tour operators to reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing their offer.

As it enters into service, ERA will enable Asian Aerospace to decarbonise its operations, providing a transport solution that makes the different destinations more accessible, while ensuring their longevity for the future generations.

Aura Aero president and co-founder Jérémy Caussade says: "We are very proud to have been chosen by Asian Aerospace to decarbonise its operations in the Philippine region. We are convinced that Asia, with its many islands and archipelagos, is a very relevant market for electric or hybrid aircraft such as ERA. At Aura Aero, we are certain that electric is the future of regional aviation, and we are just at the beginning of this revolution.”

The ERA is a brand new eco-responsible aircraft capable of transporting 19 passengers in its pressurised cabin, or 1.9 tons of freight. It has a range of up to 1,600 km and can land in the biggest international airports as well as on short, unprepared runways.

The ERA, whose entry into commercial service is planned before 2030, already boasts an order book of over 300 letters of intent. Whether it is for connecting archipelagos or providing direct flights between regional towns, ERA is an economic solution for users in terms of both energy and maintenance costs. This aircraft already addresses the environmental challenges of the 21st century, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to thermal aircraft in the same category.