Urban air mobility (UAM) company Volocopter and passenger flight services company Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services have signed an agreement to bring electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTol) aircraft services to France.
The services are set to begin in Paris, where European and French authorities have an established and approved network of eVTol flight routes and infrastructure.
VoloCity eVol aircraft
This long-term agreement covers the initial delivery of two VoloCity eVol aircraft after it is certified under the European Union Aviation Safety Authority (EASA). In addition, Volocopter will contribute its expertise in product, maintenance, pilot training, and VoloIQ, the digital backbone of fleet management and operations.
Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services will provide general airline services, including securing personnel (ground crew, pilots, and maintenance), while liaising with cities and infrastructure partners to secure operations.
The launch in Paris follows years of partnership with Groupe ADP and multiple discussions with the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC), ensuring the safety of eVTolss in the air and on the ground. Following this, the partnership will extend to France’s southwest and southeast regions, where it will capitalise on Jet System’s proven helicopter routes that currently serve up to 15,000 passengers per year.
“We are delighted to partner with Volocopter to offer safe, responsible, and environmentally friendly mobility solutions while minimising the impact on local communities in Paris,” said Michel Moulin, CEO of Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services.
“Thanks to Volocopter’s expertise and its rigorously certified aircraft, users will be able to experience Paris from a new perspective and travel more efficiently. The JSHS teams have joined forces with Volocopter to provide our customers with an innovative service tailored to their needs, driven by a shared goal: customer satisfaction and environmental preservation.”
Last year, Volocopter completed a crewed test flight at the Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’École, the first bespoke commercial vertiport for eVTols integrated within Volocopter’s approved flights routes in Paris. It also conducted the first eVTol flight at the city’s Palace of Versailles.
“We are excited to partner with Jet Systems and secure eVTol operations in Paris, where we have invested our efforts for many years,” said Andreas Fehring, managing director and chief operating officer (COO) of Volocopter. “With 75 per cent of our EASA audits completed, Volocopter is close to and committed to achieving VoloCity’s EASA certification as soon as possible to meet our customers’ expectations and cities’ commitments to bring sustainable mobilities into service.”
Source: smartcitiesworld.net
Image: Volocopter
Source: IOT NETWORK NEWS
