Today at Farnborough Air Show, AURA AERO Inc. announced the opening at the end of 2024 of its first US facility, in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s research park, and its decision to build a 500,000 sq. ft manufacturing and assembly plant in Florida.

This decision follows the company’s move last year to create a partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

This significant project was jointly announced at Farnborough Airshow by Ms Jeanette Nuñez, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida, Dr P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., President of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Mr Rob Long, Space Florida CEO, and Mr Jérémy Caussade, co-founder and CEO of AURA AERO.

“The Aviation, Aerospace and Defense industry is a leading economic driver for our state, and today’s announcement by AURA AERO is great news for the many talented Floridians who will be employed in these high-wage jobs,” said Florida Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “Congratulations to AURA AERO on their announcement, and congratulations to Embry Riddle on the opening of a new state-of-the-art facility at the University’s Research Park.”

“Thanks to the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida continues to elevate its status as a leader in research and development, and manufacturing. Our aligned and targeted investments in workforce readiness, site readiness, housing readiness, and financial readiness creates a network of connected successes that establishes confidence in investors, communities, businesses, and families to ultimately call Florida home,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “The key to the success of this effort was the work of the Lieutenant Governor and Embry Riddle who first began working with AURA AERO at the Paris Air Show last July, and we are grateful to see the company selecting Florida.”

By the end of the year, AURA AERO will occupy a first hangar (10,000 sq. ft) that will host electric aircraft development activities in order to prepare a new generation of trainer aircraft as well as the completion and delivery center of the INTEGRAL family.

Mori Hosseini, Chairman of Embry-Riddle’s Board of Directors, credited Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with advancing economic development: “Under the Governor’s leadership, the business climate that has been created is the perfect platform for us to recruit international business leaders to the United States. These companies have other choices and are continuously being recruited by many different locations. Florida’s continuing wins are a clear result of ongoing efforts by the Governor, as well as his amazing team and our legislators, to create and sustain a favorable business climate.”

Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., also lauded Lieutenant Governor Nuñez as well as Secretary Kelly, Secretary Perdue, and Space Florida for their ongoing support. “These kinds of collaborative efforts lead to exceptional outcomes such as the recruitment of AURA AERO to Daytona Beach. This latest development will benefit Floridians as well as Embry-Riddle students who will gain real-world career experience.”

The second step of AURA AERO’s deployment in Florida is to develop a 500,000 sq state of the art factory to produce, assemble, test and deliver ERA, the 19-seater hybrid electric commuter aircraft designed by the manufacturer to unlock regional air mobility.

“Our state has long been at the forefront of aerospace innovation, and AURA AERO’s decision to expand here underscores our commitment to making Florida the global hub for aerospace commerce with access to a robust workforce and an unbeatable location built for business,” said Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long. “We also are thrilled for Embry Riddle as they continue to connect top-tier talent with innovative companies right here in Florida.”

Jérémy Caussade, President and co-founder of AURA AERO, concluded: “We are proud to unveil AURA AERO’s expansion in the USA with the development of our industrial footprint in Florida. Supported by the State of Florida, Space Florida, and our partner Embry-Riddle, we have the perfect ecosystem to bring a new generation of aircraft to our American customers."

The aircraft manufacturer, committed to accelerate air transport decarbonization, is thus deploying its global industrial plan, with a geographical repartition that allows producing and assembling the aircraft close to their main markets. This industrial roadmap had already been initiated by the construction of a factory in Toulouse, France, where the company is headquartered.