Eve Air Mobility Secures 50 eVTOL Deal with Helicopters Inc.

Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer, has announced a significant agreement with U.S.-based Helicopters Inc. for the purchase of up to 50 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The Letter of Intent (LOI) was confirmed on December 4, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the advancement of urban air mobility solutions.

The partnership was unveiled at the Revolution.Aero Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) conference in San Francisco, a two-day event concluding on December 5, 2024, that brings together industry leaders to discuss the future of aviation technology. The agreement not only includes the aircraft but also encompasses service support and access to Eve’s urban air traffic management (ATM) software, known as Vector.

Strategic Collaboration for Urban Air Mobility

Megha Bhatia, Chief Commercial Officer of Eve Air Mobility, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We appreciate Helicopters Inc.’s confidence in Eve by purchasing up to 50 of our eVTOL aircraft. Helicopters Inc. is a recognized leader, safely operating aircraft in more than 30 metropolitan areas throughout the U.S., and we are excited to add such a credible vertical lift operator to our list of customers. We look forward to working with them on deploying our all-electric eVTOL aircraft as part of their extensive U.S. operation.”

Helicopters Inc., known for its extensive operations across major U.S. cities, first partnered with Eve in 2022. Together, they simulated future eVTOL operations with a special flight from Vertiport Chicago to two helistops northwest and southwest of the city. This initial collaboration laid the groundwork for their current agreement.

Tom Wagner, President of Helicopters Inc., highlighted the factors influencing their decision: “Eve Air Mobility’s maturity and reliability, backed by Embraer, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of commercial aircraft, was a key factor in our decision to select Eve for our future eVTOL aircraft. The eVTOL aircraft will provide numerous advantages including competitive cost of operation, fewer parts and optimized structures and systems, not to mention a lower noise footprint and environmental benefits.”

Advancing Sustainable Urban Transportation

The agreement signifies a major step forward in sustainable urban transportation. Eve and Helicopters Inc. will collaborate on refining potential launch cities, targeting markets that can benefit most from eVTOL services. They will also focus on aircraft maintenance and servicing requirements to ensure seamless integration into existing operations.

Eve Air Mobility is considered a leader in the eVTOL industry, backed by substantial investments that support its development phase. On October 30, 2024, the company announced a $50 million loan from Citibank, expanding its liquidity to approximately $480 million. This financial boost underscores confidence in Eve’s capability to bring innovative air mobility solutions to market.

Innovative Aircraft Design

Eve has garnered letters of intent for nearly 3,000 eVTOL aircraft from customers worldwide. In July 2024, the company unveiled its first full-scale prototype at the Farnborough Air Show. The eVTOL aircraft features eight propellers for vertical flight and fixed wings for cruising, eliminating the need for moving parts during flight. It also includes an electric pusher with two electric motors for added reliability. This design aims to deliver exceptional performance, safety, and cost-efficiency.

The Future of Urban Air Mobility

The collaboration between Eve Air Mobility and Helicopters Inc. represents a significant milestone in the evolution of urban air transportation. By combining Eve’s innovative eVTOL technology with Helicopters Inc.’s extensive operational experience, the partnership is set to enhance urban mobility while reducing environmental impact.

As they work together to deploy eVTOL aircraft across the United States, both companies are contributing to a future where air travel is more accessible, efficient, and sustainable. This agreement not only strengthens their positions in the rapidly growing AAM industry but also brings us one step closer to realizing the full potential of urban air mobility.

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