Airbus and Avincis, an European helicopter operator, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner on the development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The companies will collaborate to explore opportunities for operating electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft throughout Europe.

Through the agreement, the two industries will focus on defining the concept of operations for eVTOLs in Europe and beyond. Both parties will jointly work to define mission profiles for eVTOL operations in Europe and other target regions. This agreement is another step towards the creation of an AAM ecosystem and is an expansion of industry’s long standing relationship with Avincis.

The Avincis global fleet currently includes around 60 Airbus aircraft, which are critical to delivering safe, reliable and consistent operations from its bases across Europe, Africa and South America. Both companies have enjoyed a longstanding and successful cooperation, developing a solid and trusting relationship that will form the foundation of this new eVTOL collaboration.

Airbus remains committed to expanding its network of partnerships around the world in order to build an ecosystem that promotes a viable AAM market. The fully electric CityAirbus NextGen prototype was presented to the public in March 2024, following the vehicle’s final assembly and power-on in December 2023. It is now undergoing testing at the company’s AAM test centre in Donauwörth, Germany prior to its initial flight later this year.

 Avincis is one of the world’s Aerial Emergency Services operators, providing critical aviation services to the civil sector to save lives, safeguard communities and protect the environment. With a fleet of more than 220 aircraft, it counts on a team of more than 2,400 talented professionals, including highly experienced pilots, crews and technicians. It has bases in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Finland, as well as operations in Mozambique and Chile.