Solyu to finance 30 Jekta PHA-ZE 100 amphibious aircraft
Zero-emissions amphibious aircraft developer Jekta has signed its first lessor deal with Solyu, with the agreement covering 30 of the Switzerland-based developer’s PHA-ZE 100 aircraft.
The inclusion of the PHA-ZE 100 in the South Korean lessors’ portfolio represents the first amphibious aircraft in Solyu’s regional advanced air mobility portfolio, which it will subsequently make available to its operator customers via finance and leasing solutions.
“The deal confirms that the wider aviation sector welcomes our vision of incorporating the benefits of amphibious operations into the global air transport system,” said Jekta CEO George Alafinov. “With Solyu providing leasing and financing access to our aircraft, operators can sustainably develop new routes and support connections to those currently disconnected by water”.
Launched in December 2022, Jekta is optimising its amphibious flying craft to “serve coastal and island communities, regional routes currently limited by operational costs, and to support new low-cost, sustainable services between cities without the need to install expensive land infrastructure”. Once in possession of EASA CS-23 and FAA FAR-23 certification, PHA-ZE 100 (Passenger Hydro Aircraft – Zero Emissions) will fulfil a variety of missions including passenger, freight and air ambulance operations.
Citing the “low operating costs, flexibility supported by versatile configurations, and zero emissions operations” as able to add value to its clients’ requirements, “we expect strong interest from our customers in both the hydrogen and electric variants,” commented Solyu CEO Andrew Claerbout.
The deal takes the value of forward interest in Jekta’s craft to more than $1 billion, something Alfaniov concludes is “quite an achievement in under two years”.
