France-based electric aircraft manufacturer Aura Aero has become the first aeronautical company to receive a European grant from carbon credits, positioning itself as a major player in the decarbonisation of aviation. To be one of the 85 projects selected, in 18 countries, is the sign of a major move by the European Union in its efforts to industrialise decarbonisation technologies.

Aura Aero's ability to scale up, accelerate its deployment and promote the commercialisation of its products has played a major role in the award of this grant. Thanks to its ERA hybrid-electric regional aircraft, some 10 million tons of C02 emissions will be avoided during the first 10 years of production of this aircraft, replacing thermal fleets, according to data audited and validated by Bureau Veritas.

Based at Toulouse-Francazal airport since its creation in 2018, Aura Aero welcomed François Durovray, French minister delegate for transport, who came to highlight the efforts of French aeronautical industries, and notably Aura Aero, to decarbonise air transport.

“We are happy and proud to announce, in the presence of Mr Durovray, our minister delegate for transport, that Aura Aero is a laureate of the prestigious Innovation Fund programme, financed by the European Union, for EUR 95 million,” said Jérémy Caussade, president and co-founder of Aura Aero. “We wish to thank the Minister for his support. Thanks to the French and European institutions who have helped us, we have succeeded in developing Aura Aero and becoming a major player in the global aeronautical landscape. We hope that this support will continue to accelerate the decarbonisation of aviation.”

“I am very proud to announce the launch of the first French electric aircraft, developed by the Toulouse-based startup Aura Aero,” added Durovray. “This event marks a decisive stage in our commitment to a more sustainable and decarbonised aviation. Aviation is a crucial sector for our economy, but it must also evolve and address environmental challenges. Thanks to innovation and to the expertise of our French companies, we are taking a step further towards a responsible air mobility. This electric aircraft not only represents major technological progress, it also symbolises our determination to reduce our carbon footprint.

“Decarbonising transport is essential to reach our climate objectives. With initiatives such as this one, we support startups working to transform our aeronautical landscape while creating jobs and reinforcing our position as a global leader in sustainable aviation. I wish to congratulate all of the Aura Aero team for their relentless work and their bold vision.”

This trust marks a new stage in the development of Aura Aero, which already has the support of the French state and the European authorities as part of the France2030 plan and EIC Accelerator programme.

Pending the arrival of the ERA, in the next few days Aura Aero's Integral E, the world's first certified electric aircraft in its class, will take to the skies for the first time. Integral E, a full electric two-seater, will thus begin its flight test phase. It will have a flight range of one hour and an exceptional supercharging capacity of 30 minutes.

“We are all very excited to see Integral E take to the skies. All the company's values are concentrated in this aircraft. It's a vital first step for Aura Aero in its development of the carbon-free mobility of the future,” says Caussade.