Can $400M Keep Aura Aero’s Hybrid-Electric Dreams Alive?

French manufacturer enjoyed a recent windfall but faces delays in testing and production.

Jack Daleo

Friday, April 17, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

France’s Aura Aero is developing the 19-seat, hybrid-electric Era regional airliner. [Credit: Aura Aero]

Key Takeaways:

Aura Aero has secured approximately $400 million in new funding and subsidies to advance its hybrid-electric aircraft programs, including its flagship 19-seat Era regional airliner.
Despite the fresh capital, the Era program faces significant schedule delays, with its first flight now targeted for 2027-2028 and production facility openings pushed to 2029-2030.
The company is diversifying its portfolio by developing Integral family trainers (including an all-electric model), a MALE drone (Enbata), and military aircraft variants, aiming to meet strong market demand, particularly in North America, and exploring innovative financing options.

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French manufacturer Aura Aero is hoping that fresh funding will get its ambitions to launch a 19-seat, hybrid-electric regional airliner on track.

The manufacturer last week said it is now targeting 2027 for the first flight of its flagship Era, a slip from earlier predictions of late 2026. When asked about the test program by FLYING, Jérémy Caussade, co-founder and CEO of Aura, committed only to first flight in “less than two years”—meaning it could slip further to 2028. Late 2029 or early 2030 remains the certification target for the model.