Airbus and Avincis have agreed to collaborate on developing advanced air mobility and explore potential applications of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in Europe.
Avincis, a European aviation services provider, has already established an operational network that supports emergency medical services, search and rescue, and firefighting, among other missions. The company operates a fleet of 60 Airbus aircraft from its bases in Europe, Africa and South America.
Airbus sees the network as a valuable tool for exploring the mission potential of CityAirbus NextGen, an all-electric four-seat eVTOL prototype with an 80-kilometer operational range and a cruise speed of 120 kph. It is built for air transport service between urban and suburban environments.
Balkiz Sarihan, head of urban air mobility at Airbus, said the collaboration will help determine how such aircraft can protect communities and contribute to life-saving missions.
The CityAirbus NextGen prototype, unveiled in March, is currently under trial at the Airbus AAM test center in Germany in preparation for its initial flight in the coming months.