The next frontier: AAMG and Zuri alliance to accelerate hybrid-electric flight
November 12, 2025
AAMG and Zuri, two players in the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector, have agreed to partner on accelerating the development, certification and deployment of hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The binding agreement between the two companies will help strengthen hybrid-electric VTOL certification and production for regional, cargo and defence operations with both crewed and uncrewed variants.
Zuri and Ambitious Air Mobility Group (AAMG) have signed binding investment terms to advance certification and deployment of Zuri's hybrid electric VTOL aircraft, strengthening sustainable air mobility for cargo, defense, and passenger operations.
— Zuri VTOL (@ZuriVTOL) November 11, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/yX9XCJJJw6 pic.twitter.com/F8TTfV9WCs
Zuri’s next steps as it gears up for certification readiness
Under the terms of the deal, Netherlands-based AAMG will become a long-term industrial and financial partner supporting Zuri’s hybrid-electric aircraft programme and business growth. The agreement will also see AAMG place forward orders for uncrewed and optionally piloted aircraft.
Meanwhile, joint initiatives between the two companies will focus on accelerating certification readiness and preparing for commercial production and operational deployment.
“This partnership marks a clear step toward delivering transformative long-range regional capabilities through hybrid-electric aviation,” said Robert Kamp, CEO and senior partner, AAMG.
“Zuri’s manned and unmanned platforms provide class-leading performance for both cargo and civilian VTOL operations. They have a compelling vision that maximises the impact of our vertiport network and regional air mobility.”
How does Zuri’s aircraft differ from other VTOLs?
Based in the Czech Republic and founded in 2017, Zuri is developing its hybrid-electric VTOL platform characterised by a hybrid powertrain (electric plus conventional engine) to extend range and operational flexibility beyond what many purely electric designs offer, according to the company.
Zuri’s Technology Demonstrator (TD) 2.0, which is currently in development, has been designed with more than 700km of range and SAF-compatible propulsion. “This is not about chasing trends. It’s about building something real that flies and lasts,” said Illich.
TD 2.0 marks a new chapter for Zuri. It has built subscale models and tested key systems previously, but the demonstrator is a large-scale, flight-ready aircraft.
While most eVTOLS are built for short urban hops and rely entirely on batteries, which limits range, payload and flexibility, Zuri’s hybrid-electric system combines electric vertical lift with a SAF-compatible engine. It offers greater range, reliability and operational practicality, connecting underserved regions, enabling emergency response and making business travel more efficient.
What does AAMG bring to the table?
Commenting on the deal with AAMG, Zuri’s CEO, Michal Illich, said it brings “not only investment but also experience and an international network that strengthens our ability to accelerate certification and production toward operational deployment.”
For AAMG, the agreement reinforces its ambitions across electric and hybrid aviation, uncrewed systems and vertiport development.
While the announcement comes amid growing investor and OEM interest in AAM and hybrid-electric technologies, certification remains a major hurdle for new propulsion architecture and VTOL platforms alike. As Zuri’s programme moves from demonstrator stages into certification-driven development, AAMG’s industrial and financial backing will help ensure commercial readiness and large-scale deployment.
AAMG’s bid for Lilium
In August 2025, AAMG announced its intention to acquire the intellectual property, assets and testing facilities of Lilium. Before Lilium’s insolvency proceedings, AAMG had placed an order for 16 of its aircraft, with Kamp describing Lilium’s technology as both “groundbreaking” and “economically viable.” However, despite offering a higher bid, AAMG lost the bidding war for Lilium’s patent portfolio to Archer Aviation, which won with an €18 million bid.
In 2024, AAMG also signed a Memorandum of Understanding/cooperation with VoltAero and Ascendance.
Featured image: Zuri
