Eve Air Mobility and Brazilian startup FlyBIS Aviation Limited have signed a binding agreement for up to 12 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the companies said on Wednesday.

The agreement has two firm orders and purchase rights for 10 more aircraft, according to the companies. It builds on a letter of intent signed in 2022. The release gave no price, delivery dates, or date for entry into service.

FlyBIS plans to use the aircraft in Southern Brazil, first linking destinations in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Possible routes include cities on Santa Catarina’s coast, such as Navegantes, Balneário Camboriú, and Florianópolis, and tourist areas in Rio Grande do Sul’s mountains, including Gramado and Bento Gonçalves, the companies said.

Johann Bordais, Eve’s Chief Executive Officer, said the agreement shows customers moving “from early market development to concrete fleet commitments”. He said Southern Brazil has high demand for urban air mobility links because of its tourism and business activity, and that Eve and FlyBIS will keep working to prepare the ecosystem for safe, efficient, and sustainable eVTOL operations.

Gustavo Zanettini, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of FlyBIS, called the agreement a significant milestone that brings the company closer to offering a new form of regional and urban connectivity. He said Eve’s approach of combining the aircraft with services and operational support provides FlyBIS with a strong foundation for future operations.

The companies said they will keep working together on the requirements for entry into service, including network planning, operational readiness, infrastructure, and integrating eVTOL services into the wider transport system.

Eve said its full-scale engineering prototype has completed more than 70 flights, including the hover and low-speed phases of its flight-test campaign. The company is now widening the aircraft’s flight range through transition-flight testing, including in-flight activation of its rear pusher propulsion system, as it works toward wing-borne flight. The aircraft has not yet been certified.

Eve said Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports held a meeting in September with aviation authorities, government representatives, and Eve to discuss certification, vertiport infrastructure, energy supply, operational safety, telecommunications, and airspace integration. The company said two operators have committed to deploying its eVTOL in Brazil, and several others have shown strong interest.

FlyBIS describes itself as an advanced air mobility startup and says it is launching a new fundraising round to support fleet acquisition and network expansion.

Source: PR