Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Bristow Helicopters has agreed to purchase up to 80 VoloCity eVTOL aircraft from German eVTOL developer Volocopter. Under the new agreement announced on September 7, the helicopter operator will work with Volocopter to develop an urban air mobility ecosystem for passengers and cargo in the U.S. and UK.&nbsp;
According to Volocopter, Bristow placed a firm order for two VoloCity aircraft with the option to purchase an additional 78 vehicles in the future. Volocopter expects to have the two-seat VoloCity certified for commercial use in Europe by June 2024, and it intends to conduct flight demonstrations <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-27/first-fare-paying-evtol-passenger-flights-could-happen-paris-during-2024">during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games</a> in Paris. The FAA has agreed to concurrently validate Volocopter’s EASA type certification, and the company says it aims to launch air taxi services in major U.S. cities like Los Angeles and New York.&nbsp;
In the meantime, Bristow and Volocopter will work together to ensure a smooth launch of eVTOL services in the U.S. and UK, where Bristow intends to operate the VoloCity aircraft. The joint development agreement includes discussions on regulatory affairs, infrastructure, and aircraft maintenance services, as well as Volocopter’s <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-05-17/microsoft-will-develop-cloud-based-platform-urban-air-mobility-operations">VoloIQ</a> operating system.
Bristow already operates a fleet of more than 240 helicopters around the world, primarily serving customers in the oil and gas sectors, though it also provides charter flights and search-and-rescue services. The company has been proactively signing sales agreements with several eVTOL aircraft developers over the past two years as it prepares to electrify its fleet. It has also placed firm orders or signed provisional sales agreements with <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-08-09/bristow-orders-55-betas-alia-250-evtol-aircraft">Beta Technologies</a>, <a href="https://futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-07-18/bristow-plans-lilium-jet-evtol-purchase-part-wider-partnership">Lilium</a>, <a href="https://futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-09-22/bristow-expands-fleet-electrification-plan-orders-vertical-aerospace-evtols">Vertical Aerospace</a>, <a href="https://futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-08-26/helicopter-group-bristow-shifts-business-model-commitment-50-estol-aircraft">Electra.aero</a>, <a href="https://futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-09-23/bristow-doubles-down-fleet-electrification-another-evtol-order">Eve</a>, <a href="https://futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-12-17/bristow-evaluates-overairs-butterfly-evtol-advanced-air-mobility-plans">Overair</a>, and <a href="https://futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-07-12/bristow-commits-ordering-100-chaparral-vtol-freighters-elroy-air">Elroy Air</a>.&nbsp;

Hanneke Weitering

Bristow Helicopters aims to operate Volocopter's two-seat VoloCity eVTOL air taxis in major U.S. and UK cities. (Image: Volocopter)

Bristow and Volocopter Partner to Bring eVTOL Air Services to the U.S. and UK

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