London-based regional turboprop lessor Monte Aircraft Leasing has signed an agreement with Ampaire to form a preferred partner relationship and to acquire 50 Eco Caravans, Ampaire's hybrid-electric upgrade of the Cessna Grand Caravan.

Monte's order comprises a firm commitment for 25 Eco Caravans and an option over another 25. As a part of this agreement, Monte and Ampaire have also agreed a preferred partner relationship whereby Monte will become Ampaire's preferred Eco Caravan financing partner and Ampaire will become Monte's electric-hybrid Caravan provider.

Ampaire's Eco Caravan can reduce fuel and emissions as much as 70 per cent on shorter trips and 50 per cent on longer ones, while preserving payload capability and extending range. When flown on sustainable aviation fuel, it is effectively carbon neutral. The Eco Caravan's operating cost is 25 to 40 per cent lower than the Cessna Grand Caravan depending on the type of missions flown. The aircraft can recharge its batteries in flight, meaning it can use any airport that Caravans fly from today, regardless of ground charging capability.

Monte investment director Timothy Eyre says: “Monte is looking to build a fleet of low emission and zero emission aircraft to lease or finance for regional aircraft operators worldwide. Ampaire has emerged as the leading hybrid-electric technology provider and its Eco Caravan will be very attractive for a segment of our operators. We are excited to have signed another key technology partnership and are looking forward to working with the Ampaire team to finance the Eco Caravan.”

Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker adds: “The Eco Caravan is our starting point for a revolution in air travel. It brings cost per available seat mile down to the range of driving, benefiting operators and their passengers. It dramatically shrinks the aircraft's carbon footprint. The propulsion technology is scalable, and we intend to quickly move toward larger regional aircraft and even the single aisle jet market over time.”