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

Verified

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 Bristow Group to introduce its VoloCity air taxi to the U.S. and U.K. markets, marking its first significant U.S. presence with a firm order for two aircraft and options for 78 more.
Bristow Group, a prominent helicopter services provider, is actively expanding into the eVTOL sector, collaborating with Volocopter to develop urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystems through expertise sharing and the adaptation of Volocopter's digital platform.
Volocopter aims to achieve European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification for its VoloCity eVTOL in 2024, with a concurrent FAA certification path planned to enable operations in the U.S. shortly thereafter.
The company is positioned as a leading candidate for early commercial eVTOL flights, with plans to operate at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and targeting other markets like Singapore, Rome, and Neom (Saudi Arabia) by 2024.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.