Rockton to buy up to 40 Heart Aerospace electric airplanes

Swedish investment and aircraft leasing company Rockton will acquire up to 40 of Heart Aerospace’s regional electric airplane, the ES-30, converting an earlier letter of intent with the Swedish airplane maker into firm purchase orders for 20 airplanes with purchase rights for 20 more.

Leasing companies together own more than half of the global airplane fleet, making them a key stakeholder in the industry’s transition to new and more sustainable technologies. Rockton is exclusively focused on investments in new technology mitigating aviation’s negative climate effects and says the industry’s target to reach net zero by 2050 is stoking demand for sustainable solutions.

“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,” says Niklas Lund, chief executive of Rockton.

The ES-30 is a regional electric airplane with 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 service in 2028.

“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,” said Simon Newitt, Chief Commercial Officer, Heart Aerospace.

Heart Aerospace now has a total of 250 firm orders for the ES-30, with options and purchase rights for an additional 120 planes. The company also has letters of intent for a further 91 airplanes.