From 22 to 25 April 2025, AERO2026 took place in Friedrichshafen, the world’s leading trade fair for general aviation. AURA AERO signed the first firm order for its INTEGRAL S with the Czech operator OK AVIATION. This marks a concrete commercial milestone for a new-generation training aircraft which, until now, had mainly attracted interest. This time, it has led to a purchase.
An iconic trade fair
AERO Friedrichshafen is one of the key events in the general aviation sector in Europe (excluding commercial aviation such as Airbus and Boeing). AURA AERO was present at the event with two aircraft: the INTEGRAL R and the INTEGRAL S. Whilst the main aim was to showcase its latest technologies to as wide an audience as possible, the Toulouse-based company exceeded expectations, returning home with a firm order.
Jérémy Caussade, Chairman and co-founder of AURA AERO, is in no doubt about the significance of the moment: “This first firm order for the INTEGRAL S is a major milestone for AURA AERO. It confirms the market’s genuine interest in this new-generation training aircraft, designed to meet the practical needs of flight schools. In Friedrichshafen, we are seeing a great deal of interest in the INTEGRAL family, and this contract transforms that interest into tangible commercial momentum.”
This is precisely where something important is at stake. AURA AERO had already demonstrated its ability to attract attention, with over 700 letters of intent recorded across all its programmes, valued at $12 billion, including 20 firm orders for the ERA. With the INTEGRAL S, a new milestone has been reached: the range of light aircraft is also entering a phase of genuine commercial viability.
INTEGRAL S: a training aircraft designed as a comprehensive tool
Behind this first order lies the INTEGRAL S. Billed as a side-by-side two-seater, it is designed to cover the entire spectrum of training, including aerobatics. It forms part of the manufacturer’s INTEGRAL range, alongside the INTEGRAL R, which is geared towards aerobatics and leisure, and the INTEGRAL E, a fully electric version.
Under the bonnet is a 180-horsepower Lycoming IO-360 engine, a tried-and-tested powerplant that guarantees both reliability and ease of maintenance. In terms of performance, the aircraft has a cruising speed of around 260 km/h, a range of 1,006 km and an endurance of approximately 3.5 hours. When we talk about training, we might think of shorter secondary runways – which is just as well, as this aircraft’s take-off run is also short (318 metres).
Finally, the aircraft incorporates high safety standards: a fuselage parachute, explosion-proof fuel tanks and a reinforced structure. The aim is clear: to provide an aircraft capable of supporting a student from their first flight right through to the most demanding stages, without any interruption in their progress.
OK AVIATION: a buyer who knows what they want
INTEGRAL S’s first client is OK AVIATION Group. Based at Příbram Airport in the Czech Republic, the group has been offering a comprehensive range of private aviation services for over thirty years, including aircraft sales, training, maintenance and charter services. It is an experienced operator that understands the practical realities of the industry and does not buy on the basis of mere promises.
Lubomir Cornak, Chief Executive Officer of OK AVIATION, explains the rationale behind this order in no uncertain terms: “We are seeing strong demand for a modern, multi-purpose training aircraft equipped with UPRT training capabilities and other advanced features. We look forward to establishing a long-term partnership with AURA AERO.” UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training) is a training discipline that teaches pilots to manage unusual flight situations. This is precisely the niche that INTEGRAL S fills.
A company that’s getting down to business
To gauge the significance of this order, one needs to look at where AURA AERO stands today. Founded in 2018 in Toulouse-Francazal, the company has already reached several key milestones: nearly 250 employees, and design and production approvals in hand – a stage that many aerospace start-ups never reach.
In terms of funding, the group has now raised a total of €340 million, including a recent €50 million funding round involving Bpifrance, the European Innovation Council and Safran, amongst others. Most importantly, the company is moving on to the next stage. The Aura Factory in Toulouse has been launched, whilst a second site is being prepared in Daytona Beach, in the United States.
From interest to sale
What is unfolding in Friedrichshafen in April 2026 marks a turning point. Just a few months ago, AURA AERO was receiving a string of positive developments: letters of intent, institutional backing, industrial approvals and European funding.
For Jérémy Caussade, who had summed up his company’s ambition by saying, “We are building much more than just aeroplanes: we are building a new European industrial player”, this agreement is further proof of that vision.
The next step is now a commercial one, as the press release states: CS-23 certification and the first deliveries of the INTEGRAL S are expected this year.
