Aura Aero has acquired the assets of fellow French hybrid-electric aircraft developer VoltAero, strengthening its position in the rapidly evolving electric aviation sector and gaining access to a flight-proven demonstrator, patented propulsion technologies and additional industrial infrastructure.
The acquisition brings together two companies focused on advancing lower-emission aviation technologies and marks a significant consolidation within France's emerging electric aircraft industry.
According to reporting by Aerospace Testing International, the deal transfers a range of VoltAero assets, including intellectual property, engineering capabilities, testing infrastructure and part of the company's workforce.
At the centre of the acquisition is the Cassio S hybrid-electric demonstrator, which has served as VoltAero's primary technology test platform.
The aircraft has accumulated substantial operational experience since beginning flight testing in 2019.
Key assets acquired by Aura Aero include:
The acquisition provides Aura Aero with access to years of research covering aircraft design, propulsion integration, flight operations, testing and data analysis.
The company expects the additional expertise to support the development of several ongoing programmes.
Aura Aero said the acquired assets will help accelerate work across its electric and hybrid-electric portfolio.
Among the programmes expected to benefit are:
VoltAero had been developing a family of hybrid-electric aircraft based on the Cassio platform, ranging from the four-seat Cassio 330 to the ten-seat Cassio 600.
According to AeroTime, the transaction represents a notable consolidation within France's electric aviation ecosystem as developers seek to advance commercially viable low-emission aircraft technologies.
A major component of the deal is VoltAero's industrial site in Rochefort, which will become part of Aura Aero's operational footprint.
The facility adds more than 25,000 square feet (2,322 square metres) of assembly, engineering, testing and industrial space.
Its direct runway access is expected to support:
Aura Aero said the site will also support ongoing electric propulsion flight testing and future development work linked to the Enbata drone programme.
According to reporting by Aviation International News and AeroTime, VoltAero had been seeking fresh investment after one of its financial backers withdrew support.
Founded in 2017 by a lead engineer involved in the discontinued Airbus E-Fan electric aircraft project, the company had been working to secure funding to continue development of its Cassio programme before agreeing to the asset transaction.
The acquisition allows VoltAero's technology, infrastructure and technical expertise to remain active within the French aerospace sector.
Commenting on the acquisition, Jérémy Caussade, president and co-founder of Aura Aero, said the transaction would strengthen the company's technological and industrial capabilities.
"Acquiring VoltAero's assets, and in particular the Cassio S, means integrating years of testing, data, and experience in hybrid-electric propulsion," Caussade said.
He added that the deal would strengthen teams, expand capabilities and support Aura Aero's ambition to become a global leader in next-generation aviation technologies.
Aura Aero has positioned the acquisition as part of a broader effort to strengthen French industrial capabilities in the design, certification and production of more fuel-efficient aircraft for civil, institutional and defence applications.
Based at Toulouse-Francazal Airport, the company employs nearly 250 people and has secured €340 million in funding to date, according to AeroTime. The company also holds both design and production approvals.
Join the conversation
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Sign In to Comment