Bristow & Volocopter Partner to Bring UAM Services to U.S. and U.K.
• Bristow places firm order for two Volocopter VoloCity eVTOL aircraft with an option to purchase an additional 78 aircraft
• Bristow and Volocopter will explore eVTOL passenger and cargo transport services in the U.S. and U.K.
Houston, TX/Bruchsal, 07 September 2023: Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL), the world's leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions, and Volocopter, the pioneer of Urban Air Mobility (UAM), have signed an agreement to explore and develop passenger and cargo services for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the U.S. and U.K.
As part of this collaboration, Bristow has placed a firm order for two VoloCity aircraft to be delivered after certification with an option to purchase a further 78 vehicles in the future. Both parties will begin immediate cooperation to build a UAM ecosystem that includes regulatory discussions, infrastructure exploration, and local partnership building.
The joint development agreement covers the exploration of commercial, operational, and eVTOL aircraft maintenance services, including adaptation of the VoloIQ, Volocopter’s proprietary digital platform, to ensure Bristow’s efficient future operations. This collaboration brings forth a wealth of aviation expertise – Bristow’s reliable vertical flight operations and an existing global service network, as well as Volocopter’s dedicated development and certification of a safe, quiet, and sustainable eVTOL aircraft.
The eVTOL is a rapidly growing segment of electric aviation. With no emissions in flight and an ultra-low noise signature, the addition of the VoloCity to Bristow’s operational fleet opens doors to new routes and service opportunities within urban environments.
Volocopter expects to receive final certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2024, while concurrent certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could enable the company to start commercial services in the U.S. shortly thereafter.
Bristow Group partners with Volocopter for eVTOL services
Bristow Group Inc., a leading provider of vertical flight solutions, has partnered with Volocopter, a pioneer in Urban Air Mobility (UAM), to bring electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) services to the U.S. and U.K. Bristow has ordered two Volocopter VoloCity aircraft, with an option to purchase 78 more in the future. The collaboration will focus on regulatory discussions, infrastructure exploration, and local partnerships to build a UAM ecosystem. Bristow's expertise in vertical flight operations and Volocopter's development of safe and sustainable eVTOL aircraft will drive the success of this venture. The addition of the VoloCity to Bristow's fleet will allow for new routes and services in urban environments. Volocopter expects certification in 2024 from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and potentially the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) soon after, enabling commercial services in the U.S
