Aura Aero Lands €50 Million Funding, Sets Sights on 2027 for ERA’s Inaugural Flight
Aura Aero, the French aircraft manufacturer, has successfully closed a €50 million ($58 million) funding round. The company has also confirmed that its hybrid-electric ERA aircraft is set to take its inaugural flight in mid-2027. This announcement was made on April 8, 2026. Jeremy Caussade, the CEO of the Toulouse-based startup, informed FlightGlobal that the company is “pretty much on track to deliver the first prototype to flight test by mid-2027.”
The 19-seat ERA (Electric Regional Aircraft) will be powered by eight Safran ENGINeUS electric motors and two sustainable aviation fuel-compatible turbogenerators. These will automatically alternate between hybrid and electric modes during flight. The aircraft boasts an impressive up to 80% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional aircraft in its category. It also has a range of up to 1,500 km (900 nautical miles).
The recent funding round, when combined with €120 million in subsidies and €170 million in loans, brings Aura’s total financing package to a whopping €340 million. The company received its first firm order from French operator Pan Européenne Air Service in early March 2026. This followed approximately 700 letters of intent valued at $12 billion from 16 international airlines and operators.
Source: FlightGlobal