Wheels Up, Bell Collaborate on First Step Toward UAM | Aviation International News

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Wheels Up, Bell Collaborate on First Step Toward UAM

The companies are working together to usher in what they claim will be the first step toward urban air mobility (UAM) operations.

Wheels Up and Bell are collaborating to bring urban air mobility (UAM) operations to fruition. Under the partnership, Wheels Up would likely use Bell 429 helicopters in the short term and the Nexus eVTOL (pictured) in the longer term to provide intra-city VTOL lift using existing helipads and airports. Service is expected to start in 2021. (Photo: Chad Trautvetter/AIN)

By Chad Trautvetter • Online Editor

April 13, 2021

Wheels Up is collaborating with Bell to usher in what the companies claim will be the first step toward urban air mobility (UAM) operations. “This is the next evolution of private aircraft expansion,” said Wheels Up CEO Kenny Dichter. “We’re in the first inning of vertical lift.”

The partnership leverages the large customer base and Avianis flight scheduling software at Wheels Up and Bell’s VTOL aircraft—likely Bell 429 helicopters in the near term and Nexus eVTOLs in the longer term—to provide intra-urban travel from/to city centers using existing airports and helipads. The initial list of high-demand markets is currently under review, but service launch is expected later this year. Wheels Up also plans to provide this last-mile connectivity option to customers of Delta Air Lines, an existing partner.

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