Kenya’s premier safari airline, Safarilink, is taking a bold step toward a greener future by signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) for four ERA hybrid-electric regional aircraft, with two additional options, from French aerospace innovator AURA AERO. The announcement was made during the 2025 Paris Air Show, highlighting East Africa’s growing commitment to aviation sustainability.
This move positions Safarilink as one of the first African operators to embrace hybrid-electric regional aviation, aligning with global efforts to decarbonize air travel. The ERA (Electric Regional Aircraft) is designed to deliver significantly lower emissions while cutting operational costs—a critical factor for airlines serving environmentally sensitive areas like Kenya’s world-renowned national parks.
Reinventing Regional Aviation
The 19-seater ERA aircraft is a state-of-the-art solution equipped with eight Safran-developed ENGINeUS electric motors and two Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)-compatible turbo-generators, enabling flexible hybrid or fully electric flight phases. With a range of up to 900 nautical miles (1,666 km), ERA is designed to handle both passenger and cargo operations.
The hybrid-electric technology is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional regional aircraft, making it one of the most eco-efficient aircraft in its class. ERA’s pressurized cabin (1.88m high) offers unmatched passenger comfort for its size, while its ability to operate from short and unpaved runways ensures suitability for the remote bush strips typical of East Africa’s safari routes.
“We are delighted to support Safarilink in their transition towards low-carbon aircraft,” said Jérémy Caussade, President and co-founder of AURA AERO.
“With ERA, they will take full advantage of hybrid-electric technology in terms of decarbonization, noise reduction, and cost-efficiency, while upgrading to an innovative, new-generation plane.”
A Major Step for African Aviation Sustainability
Safarilink’s CEO Alex Avedi confirmed that sustainability has become central to the airline’s fleet renewal plans:
“One of our key strategic priorities is to contribute to the decarbonization of aviation by upgrading our fleet to next-generation, environmentally sustainable aircraft. In ERA, we have identified a cutting-edge, eco-efficient solution, and we are looking forward to operating this state-of-the-art plane.”
With this agreement, Safarilink is positioning itself as a pioneer for sustainable safari travel, aligning its brand with both eco-conscious tourism trends and Kenya’s broader environmental policies, including commitments under the Paris Agreement and national decarbonization frameworks.
Regional Impact: Tourism, Trade, and Sustainability
Operating since 2004, Safarilink has become a crucial connector to Kenya’s most sought-after safari destinations such as Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, and even cross-border connections into northern Tanzania. The new hybrid-electric aircraft will play a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of safari tourism, a sector increasingly under scrutiny for its environmental impacts.
Additionally, ERA’s flexibility for cargo operations positions Safarilink to support regional trade in East Africa, particularly serving remote communities with humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and logistics support in addition to tourism.
A Growing Order Book for AURA AERO
With this order, AURA AERO’s ERA program has now surpassed 650 aircraft on its orderbook, valued at over $10.5 billion. The interest reflects growing momentum around hybrid-electric aviation as a transitional technology toward fully electric commercial flight.
Africa’s commitment to cleaner aviation is gathering pace. Earlier in 2025, Ethiopian Airlines signed an agreement with Archer Aviation for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Safarilink’s ERA order strengthens this shift, placing East Africa in the vanguard of sustainable aviation.
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