Singapore company leases new environmentally friendly aircrafts to Braathens Regional Airways

An ATR 72-600 aircraft similar to the one to be leased out to the Swedish Braathens Reginal Airways.

Singapore aircraft leasing company, Avation has taken out a green loan from Deutsche Bank to finance its purchase of an ATR 72-600 plane. Aviation will then lease it out to the Norwegian owned Swedish’s airline, Braathens Regional Airways (BRA), Mr Jeff Chatfield, Avation executive chairman told Business Times on 19th December 2019.

The plane is the first to be delivered in a series of five new ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft ordered by the airline. When the order is completed in early 2020, BRA will operate an entirely ATR fleet comprised of 15 such aircraft.

The ATR turboprop aircraft emits 40 per cent less carbon dioxide than a comparable regional jet, largely due to its latest-generation turboprop engines, said Avation. Turboprops are more efficient than jets on short sectors because they accelerate using less fuel.

Avation bought the five planes from French aircraft manufacturer ATR. Replacing ageing regional jets with the new aircraft is in line with the Loan Market Association’s 2018 guidelines for green loan principles, opined Vigeo Eiris, which provides ESG (environmental, social and governance) research and services. Vigeo Eiris added that it expresses a “reasonable assurance” – its highest level of assurance – on Avation’s commitments and the green loan’s contribution to sustainability.

More than half of Avation’s total fleet of 48 aircraft are fuel-efficient and lower-carbon planes, including its 26 ATR 72 aircraft.

“As a lessor, it is essential for us to progress our fleet into new technology low carbon emission aircraft such as the ATR 72-600 which maintain their value over a long period,” said Mr Chatfield.

 

About Zazithorn Ruengchinda

ScandAsia Journalist • Scandinavian Publishing Co., Ltd. • Bangkok Thailand

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