AURA AERO has secured the first firm order for its 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft, ERA, with French private carrier Pan Européenne Air Service (PEAS), marking a pivotal milestone in the program’s transition from development to implementation.
Pan Européenne, headquartered in Chambéry and Lyon, has supported the ERA programme since its inception and now becomes its launch customer. The airline recently participated in electric flight tests with AURA AERO’s INTEGRAL E demonstrator and aims to be among the first operators globally to carry paying passengers on a hybrid-electric aircraft.
Specialising in tailored business aviation services for nearly five decades, Pan Européenne operates a fleet of Embraer aircraft ranging from five to 49 seats, serving up to 500 destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The ERA order aligns with the airline’s strategy to pioneer decarbonised regional air transport.
Designed to revitalise regional aviation while significantly reducing emissions, ERA will be powered by eight ENGINeUS electric motors developed by Safran—the first certified electric aircraft engine globally—combined with two sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)-compatible turbogenerators. The aircraft will alternate automatically between hybrid and full-electric modes depending on the flight phase and offer a range of up to 900 nautical miles (1,500 kilometres).
According to AURA AERO, ERA is expected to cut CO? emissions by up to 80% compared with conventional thermal aircraft in its category. The platform is designed for multiple configurations, including passenger, business aviation, cargo and special mission roles, targeting underserved regional routes and island connectivity.
Company executives described the agreement as a natural progression of a long-standing partnership, underlining shared ambitions to accelerate the decarbonisation of regional aviation.
To date, ERA has accumulated nearly 700 letters of intent from 16 international airlines and fleet operators, representing a potential order value of approximately $12 billion.