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 Houston-based Bristow Group to introduce its VoloCity air taxi to the U.S. and U.K. markets, with Bristow placing a firm order for two aircraft and options for 78 more.
The partnership aims to develop urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystems by combining Bristow's vertical flight expertise with Volocopter's aircraft and digital platform, focusing on regulatory, infrastructure, and operational aspects.
Volocopter anticipates receiving European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification for VoloCity in 2024, pursuing concurrent FAA certification, and plans initial commercial flights in global cities like Paris (for the 2024 Olympic Games), Singapore, and Rome.
Bristow Group is strategically investing in the future of electric vertical lift, as this Volocopter deal adds to its substantial existing orders for various eVTOL models from multiple other manufacturers.

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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.