Avincis and Airbus sign eVTOL agreement
Helicopter operator Avincis has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus to support the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft
The companies will explore the potential uses of eVTOLs throughout Europe, working to create defined mission profiles for the aircraft type, particularly in the field of emergency response.
“Our partnership with Airbus is an important milestone for Avincis, as we look to the future of emergency air services and the platforms that will support our missions for generations to come,” said John Boag, CEO of Avincis. “eVTOLs will play an important role in our long-term fleet strategy as these technologies continue to evolve to give us further reach and capability in the field.”
Balkiz Sarihan, Head of Urban Air Mobility at Airbus, added: “We’re pleased to partner with Avincis. Their established operational network, which is essential to enabling key missions, such as emergency medical services, search and rescue, and firefighting, will be a valuable tool to collectively explore the mission potential of CityAirbus NextGen.”
The partnership follows the unveiling of Airbus’s fully electric CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL prototype in March 2024. The vehicle is currently undergoing testing at the company’s test facility in Donauwörth, Germany, with an initial flight planned for later this year.
Avincis also recently signed a sale and leaseback agreement with LEVL Leasing for six air ambulance helicopters.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca was a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.