JSX signs a Letter of Intent for 150 Aura Aero electric aircraft
US carrier JSX, said to be the world’s first only 5-star premium regional air carrier, and Aura Aero, the French aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in low-carbon aviation, have signed a Letter of Intent regarding the hybrid-electric 19-seater Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA). The agreement is for 50 aircraft plus 100 additional options.
JSX is a Dallas, Texas based regional air carrier that provides up to 120 public charter flights daily to 24 business and leisure destinations across Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, New York and Texas in the US, with new offerings to Mexico and The Bahamas, as well. It currently operates 47 Embraer ERJ family aircraft, each reconfigured to offer 30 seats, and employs over 1,200 crew members.
ERA is a brand new eco-responsible aircraft. Concentrating many avionic, aerodynamic and propelling innovations as a solution to the decarbonisation of regional aviation. The aircraft addresses the environmental challenges of the 21st century, reducing C02 emissions by up to 80% compared to thermal aircraft in the same category, together with a significant reduction of direct operating costs, making regional connectivity viable again.
With this order for up to 150 ERA, JSX intends to use the hybrid-electric revolution to expand access to reliable flight for small communities around the USA.
This JSX order and the plan to roll out ERA as early as 2028 will offer an extensive network of point-to-point flights, while confirming the maturity of the aircraft’s development, whose operating economics and environmental and operational performances are fit to the market.
Thanks to the confidence of US customers, Aura Aero has set up a dedicated American team and is preparing the development of its industrial footprint in the USA.
Jérémy Caussade, president and co-founder of Aura Aero commented: “We are very proud to have been selected by JSX, one of the key-operators in the US, to support the development of their regional network. ERA, our low carbon aircraft, provides the performances required for JSX to bring air connectivity to more local communities. This agreement marks a new step in our development in the USA; we are thrilled by this new challenge.”
Alex Wilcox, JSX CEO and co-founder added: “Today’s order of the Aura Aero ERA hybrid-electric aircraft exemplifies our commitment to customer friendly, carbon-reducing solutions that will offer the lower costs essential to providing vital air service to small communities across the country. Aura Aero is a visionary organisation that will help JSX serve smaller communities, weaving sustainable regional air travel back into the fabric of American commerce and freedom of movement.”
ERA is a versatile aircraft capable of transporting 19 passengers or 1.9 tons of freight, it can also be configured for business aviation. With its pressurised cabin and level of passenger comfort on this type of aircraft, it has a range of up to 900nm (1,600km) and can land at the largest international airports as well as on short, unprepared runways.
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