MONTE and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions sign exclusive deal for 40 Britten-Norman Islander hydrogen-electric modification kits
MONTE Aircraft Leasing has signed a Letter of Intent with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) to purchase 40 modification kits to convert Britten-Norman Islanders to hydrogen-electric power.
The agreement will bring financing and leasing solutions to sub-regional operators to enable them to adopt zero-emissions aircraft operations. The offering will also include the required infrastructure to support operating the converted aircraft. As a part of the agreement, MONTE will become CAeS’ recommended financing partner and Cranfield will become MONTE’s exclusive electric-hydrogen Britten-Norman Islander provider.
The combination of CAeS’ thirty three years’ of experience in the design and certification of complex modifications to aircraft, coupled with MONTE’s expert knowledge of the sub-regional aviation market and both companies’ passion for decarbonising aviation, produces a strong and mutually beneficial partnership that will help kickstart the third revolution of aviation.
The deal represents an important step towards CAeS’ ambition of developing the world’s first fully certified, zero-emissions, hydrogen aircraft, and MONTE’s goal of becoming one of the world’s first zero emission aircraft lessors by 2027.
Timothy Eyre, Director of MONTE: “We are excited to announce our partnership with CAeS which allows us to offer converted electric-hydrogen Britten-Norman Islander aircraft to regional turboprop operators. This partnership represents another important milestone on our journey to becoming carbon neutral by 2027 and we look forward to working with the CAeS team on this exciting opportunity.”
Paul Hutton, CAeS CEO: “We are delighted to be able to sign this deal with MONTE Aircraft Leasing; a company that we believe share the same ambitions and values as us. It’s an extremely exciting time for Cranfield Aerospace Solutions as we continue to gain sales momentum in the market, and this deal is another example of the confidence in our expertise and capabilities as an approved aircraft organisation backed by decades of experience.”
About MONTE:
MONTE is a pioneer in financing low emission and zero emission technologies in the regional aviation market. MONTE is exclusively focused on supporting the aviation industry’s transition to net zero carbon emissions by providing financing and leasing solutions for low and zero emission technologies to regional aircraft operators. MONTE has a goal of becoming the first carbon neutral aircraft leasing company in the world by 2027.
About CAeS:
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) is a recognised as a pioneer in aviation - developing cutting edge technology, new aerospace concepts and aircraft modifications for some of the world’s largest aerospace companies. CAeS delivers safe and clean aviation solutions that will benefit generations to come.
Attention is currently focused on “Project Fresson” – an initiative set to deliver the world’s first fully certified truly green passenger carrying aircraft using hydrogen fuel cell technology. CAeS is working up to the design and manufacture of a new-build, 19-seater and 75-seater green aircraft. The project has started with converting a Britten-Norman Islander 9-seat aircraft by transforming its propulsion system from conventional fossil fuel to that of gaseous hydrogen via a fuel cell and electric motor. The end solution will deliver carbon emissions free commercial air travel and is planned to be certified for passenger flight in 2026.
CAeS is an established aerospace business of over 33 years, with 100+ staff and is one of very few aerospace SMEs globally to have both whole aircraft design capability and to hold a range of regulatory approvals for the design and manufacture of modifications to existing aircraft. CAeS is based at Cranfield Airport, Bedfordshire, UK where the company has access to some of the UK’s most advanced aviation test and research facilities.
Find out more about CAeS by visiting: https://cranfieldaerospace.com/