en.Wedoany.com Reported - Cargo specialist e-Smart Logistics has signed a sale-leaseback agreement with lessor SLI, covering up to 20 Beta Technologies Alia all-electric aircraft ordered at the Dubai Air Show last November. Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2027 or early 2028, depending on the certification progress of this fully electric aircraft.
The agreement covers the Alia CX300 conventional takeoff and landing variant and the A250 electric vertical takeoff and landing variant, including five firm orders and 15 options. Beta expects the CX300 to receive certification next year, with the A250 following in subsequent years.
e-Smart Logistics plans to operate these electric aircraft for short-haul cargo services in Europe, potentially based at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. The company has applied for an Air Operator Certificate for the new business under the name e-Smart Avia, which is expected to be approved shortly.
CEO Denis Ilin stated that this move allows the company to focus on building a new operational system. He said: "SLI understands the financial markets, and we understand how to sell (aircraft) to the market." He added: "This not only helps with cash flow but also allows us to allocate resources to what we do best." Ilin praised SLI as "the first company in the market ready to support such aircraft" and emphasized that "without the support of the leasing community and operators, electric aviation will not take off."
SLI is the only remaining lessor under Libra Group after the sale of its LCI helicopter leasing business last year. LCI signed an order for up to 125 Alia aircraft in early 2023, which has been transferred to SLI. SLI currently holds orders for up to 190 electric aircraft and autonomous cargo drones, including 40 Elroy Air Chaparral drones.
Denis Ilin previously served as CEO of logistics provider AirBridgeCargo, operating a fleet of Boeing 747 widebody freighters. Commenting on the business transition, he said: "I am moving from the world's largest cargo aircraft to the smallest."
