Bristow to Bring Volocopter Air Taxis to U.S. Via New Partnership

Bristow agreed to buy two VoloCity eVTOLs—and help the German firm build a presence in the U.S. and U.K.

Jack Daleo

Friday, September 08, 2023 at 04:32 PM ET

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Bristow placed a firm order for two VoloCity eVTOL aircraft, with the option to acquire 78 more. [Courtesy: Volocopter]

Key Takeaways:

German eVTOL manufacturer Volocopter has partnered with U.S.-based Bristow Group to introduce its VoloCity air taxi to the U.S. and U.K. markets, potentially leading the first commercial eVTOL flights.
Bristow Group, a major helicopter services provider, has placed a firm order for two VoloCity eVTOLs with options for an additional 78, aiming to develop an urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem through joint efforts in regulation, infrastructure, and operations.
Volocopter expects to receive European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification for VoloCity in 2024, pursuing concurrent FAA certification to enable U.S. operations shortly after, and plans to demonstrate flights at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

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The first commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi flights will probably not be made by Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, or Boeing’s Wisk Aero. In fact, they’re most likely to come from a firm with zero presence in the U.S. market—at least, not yet.

Volocopter, the German manufacturer that’s been a mainstay near the top of SMG Consulting’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Reality Index, on Thursday announced a partnership with Houston-based Bristow Group that will bring the company’s VoloCity eVTOL to the U.S. and U.K. Bristow placed a firm order for two VoloCity with the option to acquire another 78, for a total of 80 aircraft.