ECOCOPTER and
AIRBUS will work Together on UAM Market in Latin America
The partners
will explore and define launch scenarios for air mobility operations in
Ecuador, Chile and Peru, including joint activities to develop UAM operations,
as well as ways to target first use cases and pilot cities and regions.
Source: Travel
Asia News
Airbus and
Ecocopter have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to start collaborating on
the launch of urban air mobility services across various countries in Latin
America.
The
partnership is an expansion of Airbus’ strong relationship with Ecocopter, who
operates a fleet primarily comprised of Airbus helicopters for aerial work
missions in a variety of industrial sectors.
Marcelo
Rajchman, Ecocopter’s Corporate CEO, said, “With already 20 years of experience
operating helicopters and 5 years operating drones, this partnership is a
natural step for us. We seek to be a relevant player in the UAM ecosystem and
the projects we will develop together with Airbus will bring us closer to this
goal.”
Airbus and
Ecocopter will work together to develop UAM Market in Latin America. Click to
enlarge.Airbus and Ecocopter will work together to develop UAM Market in Latin
America
Established in
2003, Ecocopter is a reference in highly complex aerial work missions in South
America.
Its fleet of
Airbus helicopters, consisting of 16 H125s, two H135s, and three H145s, is
characterised by their high versatility and perform missions ranging from
offshore transport, mining support, medical evacuation, firefighting, and
almost the entire range of aerial work missions.
Balkiz
Sarihan, Airbus’ Head of Partnerships & Strategy Execution for UAM, said,
“We are excited to extend our long standing relationship with Ecocopter.
Together we are taking concrete steps in the co-creation of the UAM ecosystem
and our decarbonisation roadmap. This partnership leverages Airbus’ expertise
in innovative vertical flight technologies, and Ecocopter’s extensive
operational history and innovative culture.”
In September
2021, Airbus unveiled its eVTOL prototype CityAirbus NextGen, to explore
advanced air mobility technologies and bring urban air mobility services to
life. With an operational range of 80 km and a cruise speed of 120 km/h, it has
been developed to be suited for a range of deployments in urban areas and
beyond. The Company just announced the construction of a dedicated centre to
test the aircraft’s systems in the lead up to its maiden flight. Airbus is also
working closely with industrial and institutional partners to lead the
development of urban air mobility ecosystems, as recently announced with ITA
Airways in Italy, or through the launch of the Air Mobility Initiative in
Germany.