Monday, June 19, 2023

Eve, Blade expand partnership to speed up electric air mobility in Europe

 PARIS -- Eve Air Mobility and Blade Air Mobility, Inc. announced at the 54th International Paris Air Show on June 19, a significant extension of a long-standing partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that aims to transform air transportation in Europe, starting with France, by laying the foundation to integrate Eve's state-of-the-art electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft ("eVTOL") or electric vertical aircraft ("EVA") into Blade’s European route network.


“The continued partnership between Eve and Blade showcases the dedication and collaboration of both companies to transform the aviation industry and introduce electric air transportation to new regions,” Andre Stein, Co-CEO of Eve said.

By combining expertise and resources, both parties are committed to expanding advanced air mobility with innovative solutions that make travel more accessible for passengers and drive significant environmental improvements, Stein added.

"Extending our partnership with Eve underscores Blade's commitment to leading the transition from conventional to electric vertical aircraft.  Our shared vision for a safer, quieter and more sustainable future in air travel is the driving force behind this collaboration,” CEO of Blade, Rob Wiesenthal said.

The introduction of Eve's aircraft into the European network will mark a significant step towards realizing this goal. These companies are poised to transform the travel industry and make a lasting positive impact on the environment, Wiesenthal said.

Last September, Blade acquired the charter and scheduled flight operations of three of the largest urban air mobility operators in Southern Europe: Monacair, Héli Sécurité, and Azur Hélicoptère. Their integration into the new MoU with Eve positions them as crucial contributors to ongoing technical and commercial discussions.

Blade is set to focus on developing practical applications for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), including identifying future routes in France and other European countries that could support AAM operations. This approach will modernize the industry and build the sustainable infrastructure required to bring the concept of electric aviation to fruition.

Eve and Blade’s partnership is a testament to their commitment to innovation, sustainability and progress within the AAM industry.  In 2022 Eve entered into an agreement with Blade India to deploy up to 200 eVTOLs in the country.

The year before, Blade and Eve signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for operations in the United States, enabling Eve to provide up to 60 eVTOLs annually in the West Coast, New York and Florida markets.

The deployment of Eve’s eVTOLs in Europe is subject to receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and certification, in addition to all parties entering into a definitive agreement.

Eve is dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility ecosystem. Benefitting from a start-up mindset, backed by Embraer S.A.’s more than 50-year history of aerospace expertise. Eve is taking a holistic approach to progressing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced eVTOL project, a comprehensive global services and support network and a unique air traffic management solution.

Blade is a technology-powered, global air mobility platform committed to reducing travel friction by providing cost-effective air transportation alternatives to some of the most congested ground routes in the U.S., Europe, Canada, and India.

Today, the Company predominantly uses helicopters and amphibious aircraft for its passenger routes and is also one of the largest air medical transporters of human organs for transplant in the world. (Photos: Eve/Blade/Google Images)

 

 

 

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