Rockton to buy up to 40 Heart Aerospace ES-30s
Swedish investment and aircraft leasing firm Rockton is to acquire up to 40 of Heart Aerospace’s regional electric aircraft, known as the ES-30.
The deal converts an earlier letter of intent (LoI) with the Swedish OEM into firm purchase orders for 20 ES-30s with purchase rights for 20 more. Rockton, exclusively focused on sustainable aviation investments, said the industry’s target to reach net zero by 2050 is stoking demand for sustainable solutions. Leasing companies own more than half of the global fleet, making them a key stakeholder in any transition to more sustainable technologies.
Niklas Lund, chief executive of Rockton, said: “The industry’s interest and need to enable a sustainable transition is increasing by the day and the ES-30 is the most promising technology available for the regional aircraft segment. Its reserve-hybrid configuration enables a meaningful range and payload for the commercial airline market and the airplane will be continuously upgraded as new improved battery technology becomes available, making it an asset with enhanced performance the longer you own it.”
Heart Aerospace now has a total of 250 firm orders for the ES-30, with options and purchase rights for an additional 120 aircraft. The firm also has letters of intent for a further 91 airplanes. The ES-30 has a standard seating capacity of 30 passengers driven by electric motors with battery derived energy. It will have a fully electric zero emissions range of 200km, an extended hybrid range of 400km with 30 passengers and flexibility to fly up to 800km with 25 passengers, all including typical airline reserves. The plan is for the ES-30 to enter into service in 2028.
Simon Newitt, chief commercial officer, Heart Aerospace, said: “The Nordic region will be a leader in the adoption of electric aviation with several concrete infrastructure projects already underway. As a Swedish leasing company, Rockton is clearly a part of this pioneering spirit and we’re happy to have them as a partner.”
