French low-carbon aircraft manufacturer Aura Aero will open its first US facility by the end of 2024 in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's research park, and it has decided to build a 500,000sq 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 Jeanette Nuñez, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida; Dr P Barry Butler, president of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Rob Long, Space Florida CEO; and Jérémy Caussade, co-founder and CEO of Aura Aero.

“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 (10,000sq 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 centre of its Integral family of aircraft.

Embry-Riddle president P Barry Butler lauds 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 500,000sq factory to produce, assemble, test and deliver its 19 seater ERA hybrid electric commuter aircraft.

“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,” notes Long. “We also are thrilled for Embry Riddle as it continues to connect top-tier talent with innovative companies right here in Florida.”

Caussade concludes: “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 accelerating air transport decarbonisation, is thus deploying its global industrial plan with a geographical repartition that allows production and assembling of the aircraft close to its main markets. This industrial roadmap had already been initiated with the construction of a factory in Toulouse, France where the company is headquartered.