Toulouse-Francazal Airport, France: AURA AERO, French aerospace manufacturer dedicated to the development and industrialisation of low-carbon aircraft for civil and military use, announced the acquisition of the assets of VOLTAERO, a French company based in Rochefort and a pioneer in electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems.
This transaction brings together two complementary areas of French expertise around a common goal: to accelerate the decarbonisation of aviation with concrete, certifiable, and industrially viable solutions developed in France.
This acquisition provides AURA AERO with rare experience in hybrid-electric architectures and experimental aeronautical development: design, system integration, testing, flight operations, and data analysis. This expertise, accumulated by VOLTAERO over several years of work, finds its most concrete expression in the Cassio S, a hybrid-electric flying demonstrator. Since the start of its flight testing in 2019, it has completed more than 270 flights and covered approximately 15,500 miles under a variety of operating conditions. It thus serves as tangible proof of technological maturity and a direct catalyst for AURA AERO’s electric and hybrid-electric developments.
The transaction also includes key technological and industrial assets: patents, engineering expertise, prototyping capabilities, infrastructure in Rochefort, and part of VOLTAERO’s team. It gives AURA AERO additional leverage to accelerate its electric and hybrid developments, particularly in connection with its INTEGRAL and ERA programmes, the 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft, and its ENBATA drone project.
The VOLTAERO site in Rochefort strengthens this execution capability. With over 25,000 sq. ft dedicated to assembly, engineering, testing, and industrial operations, and direct access to the runway, it provides AURA AERO with a complementary operational base for prototyping, integrating, testing, and refining new architectures.
This acquisition marks an important milestone for AURA AERO. It brings a proven demonstrator, flight data, patented technologies, industrial resources, and rare expertise to a manufacturer already engaged in the design, certification, and production of low-carbon aircraft. It strengthens the company’s ability to turn innovation into products and to consolidate a French industry capable of making its mark in low-carbon aviation.
“Acquiring VOLTAERO’s assets, and in particular the Cassio S, means integrating years of testing, data, and experience in hybrid-electric propulsion. This transaction serves as a catalyst for industrial, technological, and human growth. It strengthens our teams, expands our capabilities, and reaffirms our ambition: to build in France one of the world leaders in the aviation of tomorrow,” said Jérémy Caussade, President and co-founder of AURA AERO.
By preserving and developing these assets in France, AURA AERO is also making a commitment to national sovereignty. As the aviation industry of the future takes shape, this acquisition brings together key expertise within France to design, certify, and produce more fuel-efficient aircraft to meet civilian, institutional, and defence needs.
Together, AURA AERO and VOLTAERO are accelerating the decarbonisation of aviation.
