Airbus teams up with Avincis for innovation in Urban Air Transportation
Airbus and Avincis Join Forces to Pioneer Advanced Air Mobility in Europe
In a significant stride towards the future of urban transportation, Airbus and Avincis have announced a partnership to develop Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) across Europe. The collaboration aims to integrate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into European transportation systems, making them a viable solution for missions that save lives and protect communities.
The partnership, signified by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in June 2024, is an expansion of Airbus' long-standing relationship with Avincis. With a strong foundation built on their previous cooperation, both parties are poised to jointly work on defining mission profiles for eVTOL operations in Europe and other target regions.
Avincis, a leading Aerial Emergency Services operator, brings its extensive experience in the civil sector to the table. The company operates over 220 aircraft and employs more than 2,400 professionals, including experienced pilots, crews, and technicians. On the other hand, Airbus contributes its aerospace expertise, having developed the CityAirbus NextGen prototype, which was presented to the public in March 2024 following its final assembly and power-on in December 2023. The prototype is currently undergoing testing at Airbus' AAM test centre in Donauwörth, Germany, and is expected to make its initial flight later this year.
The partnership focuses on several key areas:
- Exploring eVTOL operations across Europe: The collaboration aims to develop sustainable urban and regional air mobility solutions that complement existing transportation infrastructure.
- Utilizing existing aviation infrastructure: By leveraging airports and heliports, the partners hope to reduce upfront investments and regulatory complexity for AAM deployment, streamlining certification, air traffic integration, and operational scalability for eVTOL services across European urban and suburban areas.
- Aligning with European sustainability goals: The partnership seeks to ensure safe, green, and efficient electric air mobility operations by collaborating with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
- Combining Airbus’s technology development in eVTOL aircraft with Avincis’s operational know-how: This synergy provides a practical pathway to introduce and scale AAM solutions in Europe’s diverse urban environments.
This partnership reflects a broader industry trend toward cooperation between aircraft manufacturers and experienced operators to accelerate market readiness and address operational, safety, and regulatory challenges in the emerging AAM sector across Europe.
John Boag, CEO of Avincis, stated that eVTOLs will play an important role in Avincis' long-term fleet strategy. Balkiz Sarihan, Head of Urban Air Mobility at Airbus, expressed her excitement about partnering with Avincis to explore the mission potential of CityAirbus NextGen. This collaboration is another step towards the creation of an AAM ecosystem, paving the way for a more connected and sustainable future.
[1] Airbus and Avincis partner to explore electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft operations in Europe (2024, June 1). Airbus. https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2024/06/airbus-and-avincis-partner-to-explore-electric-vertical-take-off-and-landing-aircraft-operations-in-europe.html
[2] Avincis and Airbus partner to explore electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft operations in Europe (2024, June 1). Avincis. https://www.avincis.aero/news/avincis-and-airbus-partner-to-explore-electric-vertical-take-off-and-landing-aircraft-operations-in-europe/
[3] CityAirbus NextGen: The future of urban air mobility (2024, March 1). Airbus. https://www.airbus.com/innovations/urban-air-mobility/cityairbus-nextgen.html
- In their collaboration, Airbus and Avincis aim to integrate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, a technology used in the CityAirbus NextGen prototype, into European transportation systems.
- With their partnership, Avincis, a leader in aerial emergency services, and Airbus, known for its aerospace expertise, aim to make eVTOL aircraft a viable solution for sports events logistics and emergency response across Europe.
