A strategic pause in the development of its innovative CityAirbus NextGen aircraft, an eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) designed for Urban Air Mobility (UAM). The decision, officially communicated yesterday by Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, comes after a thorough review of the market prospects and the technological requirements necessary for the commercial success of the project.

The CityAirbus NextGen programme was launched four years ago with the aim of launching a new operating model by the end of the decade. However, according to statements made yesterday by the CEO on the sidelines of the presentation of the 2024 sales results of Airbus helicopters, the current context does not support the continuation of the project: "We have made enormous progress in understanding the technologies needed for Urban Air Mobility and for our entire product portfolio. However, the conditions are not there to launch a new commercial programme".

Despite the pause, Even reiterated the industry’s commitment to innovation, noting that the program has already provided significant learning opportunities. Recent achievements include the first flight of the CityAirbus NextGen prototype, and the Racer high-speed helicopter demonstrator exceeding its 220-knot target, reaching 227 knots.

But the sticking point of electric mobility is the limitations of current batteries. This is one of the main technological obstacles since they are considered insufficient to meet the expected mission requirements. Airbus aims to develop an aircraft capable of covering distances between 80 and 100 kilometers, a goal that is currently out of reach with the available technologies. "To launch a new program, the technology must be able to meet the minimum required missions. On the battery front, we still see the need to significantly improve performance", explained Even.

This technical issue, combined with other factors such as regulation and the maturity of the business model, contributed to the decision to postpone the programme. However, the prototype will continue to be tested at the Donauwörth plant in Germany throughout 2025. In parallel, the company is focusing its efforts on three research laboratories: DemonstratorLab, for testing new technologies; PioneerLab, dedicated to pioneering solutions; DisruptiveLab, focused on radical innovations. These projects reflect Airbus' desire to maintain its role as an active leader in aerospace innovation.

UAM is an emerging sector with enormous potential, but also with significant unknowns. Airbus had initially planned to introduce the CityAirbus NextGen -a four-seater eVTOL (three passengers and the pilot), capable of covering distances of 80 km at a cruising speed of around 120 km/h- by 2030. However, as underlined by the CEO, the success of the project will depend on the convergence of multiple factors, namely clear and shared regulations for the Urban Air Mobility sector; sustainable business models capable of justifying investments; technological maturity, especially in critical areas such as batteries and propulsion systems.