The
deal follows similar agreements between the firms, which are
currently participating in the Paris Airshow, to use Eve's
electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) in
India and the United States.
Eve is controlled by Brazilian planemaker Embraer and expects to
start commercial operations of its vehicle in 2026.
Eve and Blade said in a statement that under their new
memorandum of understanding, Blade would focus on developing
practical applications for air mobility, including identifying
future routes in France and other European countries.
They did not say if the deal would involve new eVTOL purchases
by Blade, whose current European operations include flying
conventional helicopters between Nice and Monaco.
Eve and Blade last year agreed to deploy up to 200 electric
aircraft in India, after also signing a letter of intent for
operations in the U.S., where Eve expects to provide up to 60
vehicles per year.
"Extending our partnership with Eve underscores Blade's
commitment to leading the transition from conventional to
electric vertical aircraft," Blade Chief Executive Officer Rob
Wiesenthal said.
Eve holds a backlog of nearly 2,800 orders before starting
production, with development backed by investors such as United
Airlines and Rolls-Royce.
The firm recently announced the first equipment suppliers for
its eVTOLs and expects to start building its first full-scale
prototype in the second half. Additional testing is planned for
2024.
Eve CEO Andre Stein said he expected the extended partnership
with Blade to allow the companies to combine expertise and
resources to make travel more accessible and drive environmental
improvements.
Blade last year acquired the charter and scheduled flight
operations of European firms Monacair, Heli Securite and Azur
Helicoptere, which it said would be "crucial" for ongoing
technical and commercial discussions with Eve.
(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Steven Grattan and
Jamie Freed)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|