ACIA Aero Leasing has finalized a sale-and-leaseback transaction for two ATR 72-600 passenger aircraft operated by EWA Air, the regional carrier majority owned by Air Austral.
The deal, announced on March 6, 2026, enables EWA Air to consolidate operations while maintaining its regional network across the Indian Ocean. These aircraft connect remote communities to key cities and support traffic flow into Air Austral’s long-haul services.
Hugues Marchessaux, Chief Executive Officer of Air Austral and Chairman of EWA Air, stated: “This marks a new stage for EWA, which is thus consolidating its operations and embarking on a new partnership with ACIA. I would like to thank the ACIA team for their support and the dynamism they demonstrated in completing this successful sale-and-leaseback transaction. This partnership opens new perspectives for our company, which is deeply rooted in our regional territory and remains a key economic player in the development of Mayotte through the regional network it offers its clients with its two ATRs now leased from ACIA.”
ACIA, founded in 2004 and based in Dublin, Ireland, specializes in regional aircraft leasing, managing a portfolio of ATR, Embraer, Beech, and Cessna types. The company holds the Supplemental Type Certificate for ATR passenger-to-freighter conversions and serves over 20 operators in more than 20 countries with a fleet exceeding 60 aircraft. This transaction bolsters ACIA’s ATR operator portfolio amid ongoing regional leasing activity.