Aura Aero Logs First Firm Order For Hybrid Regional Airliner

Aura Aero has signed its first firm order for an unspecified number of its 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft, ERA, building on more than 650 pre-orders from 16 operators. Launch customer Pan Européenne Air Service said it hopes to be one of the first to operate a commercial service using hybrid propulsion in a March 2 announcement.

Pan Européenne, which describes itself as a private airline, currently bases at France’s Chambéry Savoie and Lyon Bron airports to various destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Its all-Embraer fleet includes three Phenom business jets, an ERJ 135 regional jet, and the larger ERJ 145.

According to Aura Aero, it will offer versions of the ERA with more spacious stand-up cabins of up to nine seats for private charter services. For Pan Européenne customers, this will provide a lower-carbon alternative to its Phenom 300 light jets.

Powered by eight Safran ENGINeUS electric motors and two SAF-compatible turbogenerators, ERA will offer range of up to 1,500 kilometers (900 nm). It will automatically alternate between hybrid and electric modes during different phases of flights to maximise energy efficiency.

Aura Aero aims to make the first flight with an ERA prototype in 2027. The Toulouse-based start-up is targeting EASA certification and entry into service expected by 2030.

The company said that preparations for series production are already underway, with three planned manufacturing locations. These include its Toulouse headquarters, and two U.S. facilities. Its first overseas assembly site was inaugurated in October within Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Separately, the startup continues work to certify its all-electric two-seat ‘Integral E’ trainer. This is the sibling to the thermally-powered Integral R, which received EASA certification in December 2024. Pan Européenne commented that its commitment to ERA came after recently taking part in flight tests with the all-electric variant.