AURA AERO announces the acquisition of the assets of VOL TAERO, a French company based in Rochefort and a pioneer in electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems. This transaction brings together two complementary areas of French expertise around a common goal: to accelerate the decarbonization of aviation with concrete, certifiable, and industrially viable solutions developed in France.
This acquisition provides AURA AERO with rare experience in hybrid-electric architectures and experimental aeronautical development: design, system integration, testing, flight operations, and data analysis. This expertise, accumulated by VOL TAERO over several years of work, finds its most concrete expression in the Cassio S, a hybrid-electric flying demonstrator. Since the start of its flight testing in 2019, it has completed more than 270 flights and covered approximately 15,500 miles under a variety of operating conditions. It thus serves as tangible proof of technological maturity and a direct catalyst for AURA AERO’s electric and hybrid-electric developments.
Jérémy Caussade, President and co-founder of AURA AERO commented: “Acquiring VOL TAERO’s assets, and in particular the Cassio S, means integrating years of testing, data, and experience in hybrid-electric propulsion. This transaction serves as a catalyst for industrial, technological, and human growth. It strengthens our teams, expands our capabilities, and reaffirms our ambition: to build in France one of the world leaders in the aviation of tomorrow."
The transaction also includes key technological and industrial assets: patents, engineering expertise, prototyping capabilities, infrastructure in Rochefort, and part of VOL TAERO’s team. It gives AURA AERO additional leverage to accelerate its electric and hybrid developments, particularly in connection with its INTEGRAL and ERA programs, the 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft, and its ENBATA drone project.
VOLTAERO site in Rochefort strengthens this execution capability. With over 25,000 sq. ft dedicated to assembly, engineering, testing, and industrial operations, and direct access to the runway, it provides AURA AERO with a complementary operational base for prototyping, integrating, testing, and refining new architectures.
This acquisition marks an important milestone for AURA AERO. It brings a proven demonstrator, flight data, patented technologies, industrial resources, and rare expertise to a manufacturer already engaged in the design, certification, and production of low-carbon aircraft. It strengthens the company ’s ability to turn innovation into products and to consolidate a French industry capable of making its mark in low-carbon aviation.
SkyDrive successfully accelerated its SKYDRIVE aircraft to a speed of 100km/h, a viable speed for the commercialization of short hop inter-urban air mobility. Through a series of high speed...
Even today, quite a few people still have preconceived notions about the business aviation industry. The same is true when it comes to in-flight catering for private flights. Personally, I prefer to t...
Bombardier delivered the first Bombardier Global 8000 aircraft in Asia to an undisclosed customer based in Shanghai, marking an important step in the expansion of ultra-long-range busin...
Etihad Airways celebrated the inaugural flight of its iconic Airbus A380 to Japan, which touched down at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport on 18 June. The arrival marks a landmark moment for...