Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, and Sigma Air Mobility, an advanced air mobility operator and member of the Luxaviation Group, announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which includes the intended purchase of Vertical’s Valo eVTOL aircraft and supports the path from aircraft acquisition and operational testing through to the launch of commercial electric air mobility services.
The MoU also establishes a framework for collaboration on aircraft operations, commercial readiness and customer requirements, further expanding Vertical’s growing ecosystem of commercial operators and strategic partners preparing for the introduction of electric aviation.
By engaging with operators early in the development process, Vertical continues to ensure their Valo aircraft is designed to meet real-world operational requirements.
Michael Cervenka, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer at Vertical Aerospace, said:
“Bringing a new class of aircraft into commercial service requires more than certification, it requires an ecosystem of experienced operators, customers and partners ready to deploy it at scale. Sigma Air Mobility and Luxaviation Group bring decades of operational expertise that will help ensure Valo integrates seamlessly into aviation networks and is ready to deliver for operators and passengers from day one.”
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Sigma Air Mobility is supported by Luxaviation Group, one of the world’s largest private aviation operators with 50+ years of experience. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Luxaviation manages a global fleet of more than 200 business aircraft and, through ExecuJet, operates one of the world’s leading fixed base operator (FBO) networks with more than 100 locations worldwide. Together, they bring decades of operational experience that will help support the future adoption of advanced air mobility.
Christophe Lapierre, CEO of Sigma Air Mobility, said:
“The transition to advanced air mobility will require collaboration between experienced operators and leading aircraft developers. Vertical has established itself as one of the industry’s frontrunners, with a category leading aircraft. This strategic agreement takes us beyond the aircraft, furthering a vision to democratize air mobility while providing the ecosystem to support it. We look forward to working together to help prepare the next generation of electric flight.”
Vertical has approximately 1,500 pre-orders for Valo from customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines. Beyond aircraft sales, Vertical is working with leading operators to simplify the adoption of electric aviation, including its “ready-to-fly” partnership with Bristow, which will provide customers with turnkey operations, including aircraft, pilots, maintenance and insurance.
The announcement follows continued progress across Vertical’s business as it advances toward Critical Design Review (CDR), establishing the certifiable design baseline for Valo ahead of certification-conforming aircraft production and testing. Alongside commercial partnerships, Vertical continues to strengthen one of the aerospace industry’s leading technology ecosystems through strategic supplier agreements with Honeywell Aerospace, Sonaca, Evolito, Hyundai WIA, Astronics, Syensqo and Isoclima.
SOURCE: Businesswire