Eve, Embraer’s Urban Air Mobility subsidiary, announced on Thursday another agreement for its eVTOL project. This time the partnership was closed with the company Bristow Group, from Texas.
Bristow is one of the world’s largest helicopter operators and has been interested in acquiring up to 100 Eve electric aircraft starting in 2026.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed by them, however, is more extensive and includes the development of an Air Operator Certificate for eVTOL aircraft.
“This strategic MOU outlines the continued development of a comprehensive UAM model between Bristow and Eve for an eVTOL that could potentially reshape the market for all electric vertical lift with zero-emissions and lower operating costs. This allows us to expand our expertise to provide sustainable, innovative and efficient vertical lift into new potential end markets,” said Bristow President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Bradshaw.
“Our partnership with Bristow, in combination with our Embraer background, joins trusted, innovative organizations with over 125 years of combined aviation expertise and a multi-country footprint. We are honored that Bristow has chosen our eVTOL platform and together, our teams will develop the required frameworks and robust operations needed to create an accessible, scalable, sustainable and safe UAM industry” said Andre Stein, President & CEO of Eve.
Investment bubble?
The numerous agreements announced by the Embraer subsidiary are not isolated cases among the “flying taxi” projects. Several other companies, many of them startups, have benefited from the huge demand arising from the carbon reduction targets to close very significant deals.
On the horizon is a market considered promising and estimated by consulting firm Delloite at $115 billion in 2035. According to Flight Global, however, there are those who already see risks in the expansion of the sector, which already has more than 200 companies.
According to analysts, although the operating cost of an eVTOL is low compared to a conventional helicopter, there are several certification and operational challenges ahead before Urban Air Mobility can be considered a mature segment.
This process must consume large sums of money, as well as enable efficient assembly lines. It won’t be surprising if most of today’s startups close their doors close to the moment their aircraft are finally ready to take off.
