Autoflight, a Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) startup, has secured a deal with EVFLY for the purchase of 205 electric air taxis. The agreement initially covers the Prosperity I and Prosperity Cargo Aircraft, with the first 10 AutoFlight Cargo aircraft to be operated by EVFLY in the Middle East, specifically in promising markets such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The eVTOLs will subsequently be deployed in Asia and Africa. The partnership highlights the commitment of both companies to the Middle East region, which they believe has great potential for eVTOL services.
The partnership between Autoflight and EVFLY is built on the latter’s comprehensive fleet management service that integrates the latest technology for eVTOL maintenance and operational efficiency. This will provide a unique solution for companies wishing to use eVTOLs for commercial or private purposes.
Omer Bay-Yohay, President of AutoFlight, praised the deal, calling it a “fantastic deal” that demonstrates the potential of eVTOLs in both cargo and personal mobility. He added that the partnership with EVFLY could be one of the first commercial eVTOL operations in the world.
EVFLY’s Founder and CEO, Yannick Erbs, praised AutoFlight’s aircraft, calling it a “proven aircraft” as demonstrated by their world record flight of 250km/155 miles on a single charge. The flight took place at AutoFlight’s eVTOL testing facility on February 23rd and consisted of 20 circuits on a predefined flight track, with the plane remotely piloted from the ground by AutoFlight’s Flight Test team. Interestingly, while AutoFlight’s Gen4 aircraft is fitted with state-of-the-art avionics, it also ran third-party avionics to record and verify the distance flown on ForeFlight, an independent system widely used in the aviation sector.
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The Autoflight-EVFLY deal is a significant milestone for the eVTOL industry, as it demonstrates the potential of these aircraft for commercial applications. As more companies enter the eVTOL market, partnerships such as this will become increasingly important in developing the technology and creating new markets for eVTOL services. With its commitment to the Middle East region, Autoflight and EVFLY are paving the way for the future of eVTOLs in commercial aviation.
