Helicopter provider Bristow has entered into an agreement with German electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Volocopter to purchase up to 80 of its VoloCity aircraft. This deal includes a firm order for two VoloCity aircraft, set for delivery after certification, with an option to acquire an additional 78 vehicles in the future.
Volocopter is a leading developer in the eVTOL space, aiming to secure certification and eventually transport passengers. The agreement with Bristow also covers the exploration and development of passenger and cargo services for eVTOL aircraft in the US and the UK. The partnership will work towards building an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem, addressing regulatory discussions, infrastructure needs, and local partnerships.
The joint development agreement between Bristow and Volocopter includes commercial, operational, and maintenance services for eVTOL aircraft, including the adaptation of the VoloIQ platform. VoloIQ is the cloud-based system that will manage all aspects of Volocopter’s eVTOL ecosystem, from air taxis to urban integration and a passenger app.
Volocopter anticipates receiving final certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2024, with concurrent certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) potentially enabling commercial services in the US shortly after.
Dave Stepanek, executive vice president and chief transformation officer for Bristow, stated, “Launching this collaborative effort with Volocopter marks a major milestone in Bristow’s effort to usher in a new era of vertical transportation solutions. Volocopter has taken a pragmatic approach to certification with a simple and elegant initial aircraft design and is leading the pack in its efforts to bring their aircraft to market. We are looking forward to lending our 75+ years of innovation and expertise in bringing new aircraft into service and developing new markets side-by-side with Volocopter.”
In April 2023, Volocopter opened its first aircraft production facility, which is expected to produce 50 VoloCity vehicles per year. Christian Bauer, CFO & CCO of Volocopter, commented, “Our partnership with Bristow and the firm VoloCity orders received propels us forward as we unlock new markets. With this collaboration, Volocopter surpassed 500 pre-orders accumulated including nearly 30 firm orders from reputational partners. I am filled with excitement toward the vast potential of the US and UK markets and looking forward to working with Bristow’s experienced team as we prepare for operations.”
