Aura Aero has surpassed 650 pre-orders for its ERA hybrid-electric regional airliner, with six new customers accounting for more than 100 of these. Overall, the commitments represent a total potential value of more than $10.5 billion.
Letters of intent were signed with Marathon Airlines (20 firm, 20 options), Solyu (20 firm, 20 options), JumpAir Airlines (10 firm, 10 options), Safarilink (four firm, 2 options), and an undisclosed European customer (three firm, three options).
“We are very proud of the success achieved by our hybrid-electric aircraft, thanks to our commercial team and to Aelis Group, our dedicated global sales partner for ERA,” said Aura Aero chief commercial officer Drew McEwen.
“Just four years after launching the program, announcing today over 650 pre-orders for this aircraft…is a major milestone for us,” added Jérémy Caussade, president and co-founder. “The trust our customers place in us confirms the existence of a real market for this type of aircraft—and the backing of French and European institutions only strengthens that conviction.”
The company began making the first prototype parts earlier this year as it moves toward a first flight planned for 2027. Entry into service is expected by 2030.
ERA features eight electric motors developed by Safran and two SAF-compatible turbo-generators, which are expected to cut emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional aircraft. It can fly up to 900 nm and will serve regional passenger, cargo, and special mission markets, with flexible operating capabilities from large airports and short, unpaved runways.
Aura Aero’s Paris Air Show exhibit is also featuring PTC’s cloud-native, model-based definition software, which allows for engineering products to be quickly rendered into 3D models.