VoltAero CEO Jean Botti to outline hybrid-electric pathway for sustainable regional aviation
14/07/2025
VoltAero, the French aerospace innovator developing hybrid-electric aircraft, is preparing to begin production within two years, according to CEO and CTO Jean Botti.
Speaking ahead of his session at the Aerospace Test & Development Show, Botti shared updates on the company’s progress, its unique hybrid approach, and why the future of aviation lies in pragmatic solutions, not technological rivalry.
“We’re not in production yet, but we plan to be there within two years,” Botti said. “We are one of the pioneers of this new electric aviation. And this is not purely electric, it’s hybrid-electric.”
VoltAero’s Cassio family of aircraft is designed for flexibility and efficiency, built around the lessons learned from earlier projects. Botti highlighted the Cassio S demonstrator based on the Cessna 337, which has been flying for four years, including daily flights at the Paris Air Show.
“That aircraft uses a structure from the Cessna 337, but we’ve integrated interior technology capable of carrying up to 12 people with 600 kilowatts of power,” he explained. “From this platform, we validated all the technologies needed to develop the Cassio 330, 480, and 600 models.”
VoltAero’s new plant, which opened in June, is central to scaling production. “We’re planning to make more than 100 aircraft in this plant,” said Botti, adding that 28 of the company’s 33 employees are already based there.
Looking back, Botti recalled his early involvement in electric flight with Airbus, including an all-electric English Channel crossing ten years ago. But he’s adamant that fully electric aircraft are not yet the answer.
“With the evolution of battery technology, we quickly realised we had to create a revolution through evolution. That’s why we chose hybrid,” he said.
In his session, Botti plans to challenge the industry’s tendency to pit hydrogen against battery-electric technologies. “Opposing these two doesn’t make any sense,” he said. “Hydrogen is not ready. Right now, hybrid-electric aircraft are the most natural solution – for flight range, infrastructure, and economics.”
He hopes to attract potential customers and operators to his talk. “Talking to colleagues is nice, but what really matters are future operators,” he said.
What gives him confidence in sustainable aviation’s future? “It’s not just technical,” Botti said. “It’s about making an aircraft that makes the most economic sense. And that’s exactly what we’ve always pushed for.”
Session: The future of propulsion, a long journey with no clear winner
Date: 30th September 2025
Time: 10:50 – 11:20
“We’re not in production yet, but we plan to be there within two years,” Botti said. “We are one of the pioneers of this new electric aviation. And this is not purely electric, it’s hybrid-electric.”
VoltAero’s Cassio family of aircraft is designed for flexibility and efficiency, built around the lessons learned from earlier projects. Botti highlighted the Cassio S demonstrator based on the Cessna 337, which has been flying for four years, including daily flights at the Paris Air Show.
“That aircraft uses a structure from the Cessna 337, but we’ve integrated interior technology capable of carrying up to 12 people with 600 kilowatts of power,” he explained. “From this platform, we validated all the technologies needed to develop the Cassio 330, 480, and 600 models.”
VoltAero’s new plant, which opened in June, is central to scaling production. “We’re planning to make more than 100 aircraft in this plant,” said Botti, adding that 28 of the company’s 33 employees are already based there.
Looking back, Botti recalled his early involvement in electric flight with Airbus, including an all-electric English Channel crossing ten years ago. But he’s adamant that fully electric aircraft are not yet the answer.
“With the evolution of battery technology, we quickly realised we had to create a revolution through evolution. That’s why we chose hybrid,” he said.
In his session, Botti plans to challenge the industry’s tendency to pit hydrogen against battery-electric technologies. “Opposing these two doesn’t make any sense,” he said. “Hydrogen is not ready. Right now, hybrid-electric aircraft are the most natural solution – for flight range, infrastructure, and economics.”
He hopes to attract potential customers and operators to his talk. “Talking to colleagues is nice, but what really matters are future operators,” he said.
What gives him confidence in sustainable aviation’s future? “It’s not just technical,” Botti said. “It’s about making an aircraft that makes the most economic sense. And that’s exactly what we’ve always pushed for.”
Session: The future of propulsion, a long journey with no clear winner
Date: 30th September 2025
Time: 10:50 – 11:20