Hybrid-Electric Plane Maker Announces First U.S. Factory!

Aura Aero, a French startup specializing in hybrid-electric aircraft, has unveiled plans to establish its first U.S. facility, a 500,000-square-foot factory, at Daytona Beach International Airport along Florida’s Atlantic Coast. The $172 million production and assembly plant will serve as Aura Aero’s U.S. headquarters and is expected to create approximately 1,000 jobs. This announcement follows the company’s earlier indication that it would select a site in Florida for its operations.

The factory will manufacture the Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA), a hybrid-electric plane designed to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 80% compared to conventional regional jets. The ERA can travel up to 900 nautical miles and will offer seating for 19 passengers or a cargo capacity of 1.9 tons. Aura Aero’s innovative aircraft can recharge at a variety of charging stations, with the ability to fully charge in as little as 30 minutes using the company’s proprietary chargers.

To date, Aura Aero has secured $9 billion in orders for more than 600 ERA planes. The Daytona facility will play a critical role in meeting this demand, producing around 100 aircraft annually for U.S. customers. Construction on the new plant is slated to begin in 2026, with operations expected to commence in late 2028. The first deliveries from the facility are planned for early 2029.

In addition to the Daytona plant, Aura Aero is building a 10,000-square-foot hangar at the nearby Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus, which will focus on electric aircraft development. The ERA is scheduled to make its debut flight in 2026 and enter service by 2028.