Eve, Blade to expand 'flying car' partnership to Europe

Eve Holding

19/06/2023 08:00

By Gabriel Araujo
       SAO PAULO, June 19 (Reuters) - Electric aircraft maker
Eve  EVEX.N  and Blade Air Mobility  BLDE.O  are expanding their
partnership to integrate Eve's upcoming flying car into Blade's
European route network, starting with France, the companies said
on Monday.
    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  EMBR3.SA 
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  UAL.O  and Rolls-Royce  RR.L .
    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)
 ((Gabriel.Araujo2@thomsonreuters.com; +55 11 5047-3352;))