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 today an agreement for the acquisition by EDF, through its subsidiary SAFIDI, of a stake in AURA AERO. EDF group supports the aircraft manufacturer until now on topics related to the electrification of aviation and the deployment of related infrastructures.
EDF’s acquisition of a stake in AURA AERO, via its subsidiary SAFIDI, dedicated to financing regional development and decarbonization projects, 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 fundings, 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 decarbonization of regional transport.
Jérémy Caussade, President and co-founder of AURA AERO, is delighted: “ We are very honored to have EDF as one of our core shareholders. The expertise of such a group in implementing de decarbonization of energy sources is very precious to us. This decision will largely contribute to helping us rapidly pursue our industrial development in France.”
Sylvain Vidal, Director of EDF Regional Action in the Occitanie Region, adds: “EDF group is committed to supporting its customers in their decarbonization projects through the electrification of uses. Taking a stake, via its subsidiary SAFIDI, in the pioneer of regional electric aviation, AURA AERO, marks the group’s will to contribute to the decarbonization of heavy mobility players including in the aviation sector. In the name of EDF group, I am very proud to support AURA AERO in its industrial take-off and to be able to accompany the company in the implementation of its projects for a sustainable general aviation.”
About AURA AERO:
A pioneer in low-carbon aviation, AURA AERO is committed to serve mankind by designing and manufacturing aircraft that accelerate air transport decarbonization. By combining the best in the aeronautical industry with state-of-the-art digital technologies, AURA AERO produces new generation aircraft with unrivaled efficiency: INTEGRAL, the two-seater training aircraft with aerobatic capabilities, and ERA, the 19-seater hybrid-electric regional aircraft.
Founded in 2018, AURA AERO is headquartered at Toulouse-Francazal airport in France and employs nearly 250 people. Having obtained design and production agreements, the company confirms its status as a fully recognized aircraft manufacturer.
AURA AERO is supported by the Occitanie Region, the BPI (French Public Investment Bank) and venture capital firm Innovacom. Laureate of the European fund EIC Accelerator and of the France 2030 program, AURA AERO is a member of the steering committee of AZEA (Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation), and is one of the 16 founder-companies of the European Future Mobility Taskforce.
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About EDF :
A major player in the energy transition, EDF group is an integrated energy company, active in all businesses: generation, distribution, trading, energy sales and services. The world leader in low-carbon energies, with decarbonized production of 434 TWh (1), the Group has developed a diversified production mix based mainly on nuclear and renewable energies (including hydropower), and is investing in new technologies to support the energy transition. EDF’s purpose is to build a CO2-neutral energy future that reconciles preservation of the planet, well-being and development, thanks to electricity and innovative solutions and services. The Group supplies energy and services to around 40.9 million customers (2) and generated sales of €139.7 billion in 2023.
(1) see EDF’s URD 2023, sections 1.2.3, 1.3.2 and 3.1 (2) Customers are counted by delivery site; a customer may have two delivery points.
Contact for the media: Caroline Brown – CB Relations Presse: + 33 (0)6 22 08 86 23 – caroline.brown.rp@gmail.com
