Czech Start-up Zuri Prepares to Fly Uncrewed Hybrid-electric Cargo Aircraft | Aviation International News

Zuri Prepares to Fly Hybrid-electric Cargo Drone

Platform offers 100 kilogram payload and 300 nm range

Zuri crewed and uncrewed hybrid-electric aircraft — Czech start-up Zuri is developing a family of crewed and uncrewed hybrid-electric aircraft.

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

August 27, 2026

Zuri has begun ground tests with the first full-scale example of its uncrewed hybrid-electric VTOL cargo aircraft in preparation for the start of flight testing in early 2027. Announcing the milestone on Thursday, the Czech start-up said it has already signed letters of intent with two prospective customers.

According to Prague-based Zuri, €6 million ($7 million) in Series A funding has covered work on its latest technology demonstrator and is also sufficient for flight testing. Since 2018, the company has conducted hundreds of flight tests across more than 15 iterations of the aircraft, with deliveries expected to start by 2029.

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