AAMG Backs Zuri’s Plans for Hybrid-electric VTOL Aircraft

The European investors who recently lost out to Archer Aviation in efforts to acquire the assets of Lilium have turned their attention to another VTOL aircraft start-up. On November 11, the Ambitious Air Mobility Group (AAMG) announced that it has agreed to invest in Zuri’s plans to bring a multi-role hybrid-electric aircraft to market.

Amsterdam-based AAMG has not specified how much fresh capital it is providing for Czech company Zuri, which was formed in 2017. In October, it confirmed that it had been willing to spend €30 million (about $35 million) to acquire the assets and intellectual property for Lilium’s defunct eVTOL aircraft program before the German company’s bankruptcy administrator accepted a lower bid from Archer.

This week’s announcement also said that AAMG plans to place an unspecified number of orders for both uncrewed and optionally piloted examples of the Zuri aircraft. These could be used for logistics, cargo, and defense applications, and could also carry up to four passengers.

“This partnership marks a clear step towards delivering transformative long-range regional capabilities through hybrid-electric aviation,” said Robert Kamp, AAMG’s CEO and senior partner. “Zuri’s manned and unmanned platforms provide class-leading performance for both cargo and civilian VTOL operations. They have a compelling vision that maximizes the impact of our vertiport network and regional air mobility.”

The AAMG business model is expected to involve leasing aircraft to operators for specific missions. Dan Hayes, the company's chief operations officer, told AIN that it has prospective customers that have shown a strong interest in sourcing aircraft with suitable payload and range for uncrewed defense and cargo operations. He said that Zuri has wider plans for a family of aircraft, offering different capabilities, and that its clients' requirements could help to inform decisions over specifications for production models.

AAMG had planned to be a customer for the six-passenger Lilium Jet. Its business model also includes plans to develop networks of vertiports across various specific European regions, including the south of France, the Benelux countries, and Italy. According to Hayes, the Zuri design could potentially be increased in size to accommodate more passengers.

Design Changes Pending

The Zuri aircraft is expected to have a range of around 380 nm, with a 30-minute energy reserve and cruise speeds of up to 190 knots. Design drawings show eight tilting propellers, with four sets mounted on the wing and the other four on a V-shaped tail.

In April 2023, the Prague-based company announced the launch of a Series A funding round to raise around €15 million. In December 2024, it confirmed that €4.4 million had been raised, with the main backers including the Pale Fire Capital private equity group. It currently has 25 employees and has plans to add more specialists.

Zuri’s engineering team has built and flown a technology demonstrator with a 36-foot wingspan. The next step is to complete a more advanced demonstrator with a fully integrated hybrid powertrain, more advanced tiltrotors, and a redesigned tail section. The company has previously had contact with leading engine manufacturers, including Rolls-Royce, Safran and Pratt & Whitney, to discuss options for the turbine element of the propulsion system, but this important system selection has yet to be confirmed. 

“AAMG brings not only investment but also experience and an international network that strengthens our ability to accelerate certification and production toward operational deployment,” said Zuri CEO Michal Illich. “This partnership reinforces Zuri’s mission to deliver sustainable hybrid-electric aviation across defense and civilian markets.”

This story was updated on November 12 to include additional information from the Ambitious Air Mobility Group.