AURA AERO, a pioneer in low-carbon aviation, and EDF Group (Electricité de France), the French multinational electric utility company and a major player in the energy transition, announced an agreement for the acquisition by EDF, through its subsidiary SAFIDI, of a stake in AURA AERO.
This confirms the potential of the aircraft manufacturer’s roadmap and allows it to maintain its European sovereignty. This shareholding complements the capital-raising initiatives undertaken in parallel by the manufacturer. In addition, AURA AERO has also received several institutional funding, from the European Union for the ‘EIC Accelerator’ program, and from France 2030 as part of the validation of the AURA Factory project, labeled “Première Usine”.
Launched six years ago, AURA AERO already holds European approvals as an aircraft designer and manufacturer. On its site at Toulouse-Francazal airport, the company designs and assembles the INTEGRAL, a two-seater training aircraft with an aerobatic capability, as well as ERA, the 19-seater aircraft for the regional transport market.
As its first aircraft, INTEGRAL R and INTEGRAL S, are completing their flight test campaign, an essential prerequisite for the certification preceding the first deliveries, the electric version, INTEGRAL E, continues its tests. INTEGRAL already holds many orders for its three versions, including this “zero-carbon emission” version, eagerly awaited by flying academies.
The development of the ERA program is proceeding according to plan. The first parts for the test aircraft, due to fly by the end of 2026, are currently being machined. 570 ERA aircraft are already the subject of letters of intent from 12 airlines, with more than half outside Europe. With this aircraft, AURA AERO will provide, before 2030, an immediate response to the gradual de- carbonation of regional transport.
