By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 2: VoltAero, the French pioneer in electric-hybrid aviation and developer of the Cassio aircraft family, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with SEDC Energy (SEDCE) and France’s ACI Groupe, marking a major step towards establishing a regional hybrid-electric aircraft assembly facility and innovation centre in Sarawak.
As part of this agreement, which took place in Kuala Lumpur, SEDCE and ACI Groupe have expressed interest in acquiring an equity stake in VoltAero and becoming strategic investors.
This investment lays the foundation for a broader strategic partnership aimed at advancing clean aviation technologies across the Asia-Pacific region.
The collaboration envisions the creation of a state-of-the-art assembly facility in Sarawak to produce VoltAero’s Cassio aircraft, which utilise electric-hybrid propulsion systems for safe, quiet, efficient, and environmentally friendly regional transportation and pilot training.
ColtAero chief executive officer (CEO) and chief technical officer Jean Botti emphasised that this partnership is a major milestone for VoltAero and for the global transition to low-emission air transportation.
“Establishing a regional hub in Malaysia enables us to scale up production, meet regional demand, and transfer knowledge and skills to a key region embracing sustainable aviation,” he said in media release today.
SEDC Energy chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain emphasised Sarawak’s unique position as a leader in sustainable technology and innovation.
“Through this collaboration with VoltAero, Malaysia will be at the forefront of next-generation aviation manufacturing and clean energy development. It aligns with national ambitions to position Malaysia as a green aviation hub, while supporting goals in decarbonisation, technology transfer, and workforce development,” he stated.
ACI Groupe president and CEO Philippe Riviere, added: “We are proud to join forces with VoltAero and SEDC Energy to bring electric-hybrid aviation to the Asia-Pacific region. This project reflects our shared vision of a cleaner, more connected future in global air transport.”
Apart from establishing a Cassio aircraft assembly facility in Sarawak, key components of the strategic collaboration include training of local technicians and engineers in both Malaysia and France; creation of a pilot training academy, complete with flight simulators, to support the growth of regional eco-efficient aviation; and technology transfer and capability development, including final assembly and delivery operations.
It also aims to grant manufacturing and distribution rights for the Cassio aircraft in Asia-Pacific to the SEDCE–ACI Groupe joint venture; deployment of mobile charging infrastructure at regional airports and demonstration flights to raise public and stakeholder awareness; develop local supply chains, with ACI Groupe leading early-stage project implementation; establish local MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) capabilities for electric aircraft; and jointly develop hydrogen propulsion and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF, biofuels) in collaboration with strategic partners.
VoltAero’s Cassio aircraft family is designed as a versatile, high-performance solution for a range of applications, including regional commercial operations, air taxi and charter services, private use, and utility missions such as cargo transport, postal delivery, and medical evacuation (Medevac).
The Cassio lineup includes the Cassio 330 – up to five seats; Cassio 480 – six seats; and Cassio 600 – 10 to 12 seats.
With this partnership, VoltAero, SEDC Energy, and ACI Groupe are laying the groundwork for a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable future in aviation for Malaysia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. — DayakDaily
