Pan Europeenne Air Service (PEAS) has placed an order for the regional 19-seat hybrid-electric ERA with French aircraft manufacturer Aura Aero.

The French private operator has been supporting Aura Aero and the ERA programme from the outset, demonstrating its confidence in the manufacturer's vision and progress. As the first operator to make a firm commitment for the ERA, Pan Européenne confirms, after having recently taken part in electric flight tests with Aura Aero's Integral E, its role in decarbonised aviation.

This commitment marks a new step for Pan Européenne and for the ERA programme, moving from a dynamic of development to a phase of implementation, driven by close collaboration and a shared ambition to accelerate the transition of regional aviation.

Headquartered in Chambéry and Lyon, Pan Européenne is a French private airline that has specialised in customised business flights for nearly 50 years. It operates five Embraer aircraft with a capacity ranging from five to 49 seats and serves up to 500 destinations in Europe, north Africa and the Middle East. The company aims to be one of the first in the world to operate a hybrid-electric aircraft with paying passengers.

Designed to revive regional aviation while accelerating the decarbonisation of aviation, the ERA will be powered by eight ENGINeUS electric motors, developed by Safran and the world's first certified electric aircraft engine, and two sustainable aviation fuel-compatible turbogenerators. It will automatically alternate between hybrid and electric modes depending on the flight phase, with a range of up to 900 nm.

Addressing the environmental challenges of the 21st century, the ERA reduces CO2 emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to thermal aircraft in its category. It is a versatile aircraft that can be configured for passenger transport, business aviation, cargo or special missions. By combining sustainability and economic viability, the ERA is redefining the future of aviation and revitalising regional aviation, whether connecting islands and archipelagos or offering direct flights between regional destinations.

For Antoine Foessel and Clément Jacquot, co-CEOs and owners of Pan Européenne: “Aura Aero's ambition and values are perfectly aligned with our vision of the aviation of tomorrow. The technological and industrial choices made in the design and production of ERA since the launch of the company have always proved extremely relevant, and it was only natural that we chose this aircraft in order to be able to offer the first decarbonised air transport service in history.”

“Pan Européenne is much more than a launch customer; it is a trusted partner that has been with us since the beginning of the ERA programme. We are very proud to have the commitment of a company that has chosen to support a French manufacturer, because we share the same values and vision,” adds Jérémy Caussade, president and co-founder of Aura Aero.

To date, the order book for the ERA includes nearly 700 letters of intent from 16 international airlines and fleet operators, valued at $12 billion.