VoltAero seeks bids for manufacturing plant construction
Bids are being sought by VoltAero for the construction of a facility from which it will deliver the first of its Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft.
The site located at Rochefort – Charente-Maritime Airport in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region will house three Cassio aircraft final assembly lines, along with a workshop, logistics area and offices. VoltAero have targeted a move-in date of June 2024.
Gérard Pons, president of the Syndicat Mixte des Aéroports de La Rochelle – Ile de Ré et Rochefort – Charente-Maritime, said: “VoltAero’s presence constitutes a go-ahead for the development of aeronautical industrial activities at the airport. I hope that this first facility will lead to test and development projects from other innovative aeronautical players.”
Covering a total area of 7,400sqm – with the possibility for future extensions – the building initially will provide 2,412sqm of floor space. The project’s cost of €4.4m includes road access to the site, as well as a tarmac area for the assembled Cassio aircraft, and a taxiway that connects to the Rochefort – Charente-Maritime Airport’s runway. The French government will contribute €665,000 as part of the National Fund for Territorial Planning and Development (FNADT). Discussions are also underway with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and the Agglomeration Community of Rochefort-Océan for their financial support of the project.
Jean Botti, VoltAero founder, CEO and chief technical officer, said: “This is an important milestone in our development and represents one more step towards decarbonised aviation, which we will create together. We also are proud to contribute to the economic development of France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.”
Certification of the Cassio is expected at the end of 2024, with the first aircraft expected to be delivered from VoltAero’s facility in early 2025. VoltAero currently employs 35 people. When the new facility is completed, the firm will expand its operations to some 60 employees. This could climb to as many 150 people and contribute to the creation of 450 indirect jobs at once scaled.
