Aura Aero has signed a memorandum of understanding with Republic Airways, an airline which thus becomes a strategic advisor for the 19-seater ERA program of the Toulouse manufacturer. Aura Aero targets the North American regional market for the new electric-powered regional transport aircraft.
Republic Airways becomes strategic advisor to Aura Aero for ERA
Republic Airways (Republic) and Aura Aero, French manufacturer and pioneer of low-carbon aviation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding relating to the development of the ERA, the 19-seater regional transport aircraft with electric propulsion. Republic Airways is one of North America’s leading regional airlines, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It operates more than 200 Embraer E170/175 aircraft for flights to nearly 100 destinations daily. Republic employs more than 6,000 aviation professionals and flies exclusively for Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines.
Support for the technical and commercial development of ERA
This memorandum of understanding lays the foundation for cooperation between Aura Aero and Republic in the assistance that Republic will provide to the ERA program. Republic will primarily provide support in terms of technical and commercial development of ERA. Republic’s expertise in regional aviation will strengthen Aura Aero’s ability to design and certify an eco-responsible and commercially viable aircraft in the highly competitive North American market.
A regional aircraft that aims to be versatile
ERA will be a brand new eco-responsible aircraft which aims to be an exceptionally versatile aircraft: capable of transporting 19 passengers or 1.9 tonnes of cargo, it can also be configured for business aviation. Equipped with a pressurized cabin, it will be able to travel up to 1,600 km and land at the largest international airports as well as on short, unprepared runways. The entry into service of the regional aircraft is planned before 2030 and the manufacturer declares that it has an order book and protocols of understanding of nearly 350 units, which represents a total amount of €3.5 billion.
