European cargo specialist e-Smart Logistics has converted its prior purchase order for up to 20 BETA Technologies ALIA electric aircraft into an operating lease via a sale-and-leaseback agreement with Space Leasing International (SLI), where SLI retains ownership and e-Smart commits to fixed monthly payments. The deal, announced 16 July 2026, covers five firm orders and 15 options across the ALIA CX300 CTOL and A250 eVTOL variants, originally ordered at the Dubai Air Show in November 2025. Deliveries commence late 2027 or early 2028, contingent on ALIA certification. This landmark operating lease addresses electric aviation’s primary commercialization barrier: financing, by shifting ownership risk to the lessor while securing fleet access for operators.