flyVbird orders up to 50 electric aeroplanes
Eviation Aircraft has landed another order for its all-electric plane Alice. It has signed a letter of intent with the Germany-based regional airline flyVbird for 25 all-electric aeroplanes, with an option of purchasing another 25 at a later date.
flyVbird offers an on-demand flight service that can be booked via an app and connects rural areas. According to the press release, it plans to use the electric plane Alice “for decentralized and sustainable travel across Europe, connecting unconnected or underserved communities worldwide and delivering carbon-free, cost-effective, convenient air travel.”
“The fact that Alice is a zero-carbon, quiet, low operational cost aircraft makes it the perfect solution for flyVbird to deliver clean, on-demand regional travel across Europe into the next decade and beyond,” says Anton Lutz, CEO of flyVbird. “Through our unique AI-driven approach, we will offer direct alternatives to typical hub-and-spoke operations and Alice will play a critical role.”
“The European Union is moving forward with ambitious new rules aimed at decarbonizing the aviation industry,” comments Eddie Jaisaree, Vice President, Commercial Sales at Eviation. “The Alice is the innovative and beautifully designed aircraft needed to lead aerospace’s transition to net zero carbon emissions. We are very pleased to partner with flyVbird in the future of flight.”
The electric aircraft with room for up to nine passengers completed its maiden flight in September 2022. Alice is powered by two magni650 electric propulsion units, each producing 640 kW of power from magniX. The promise: Operating costs per flight hour are said to be a “fraction” compared to light jets or high-end turboprop aircraft, which is why (in theory) even less frequented routes can be served economically.
Eviation Aircraft says it has so far collected (potential) orders worth more than 4 billion US dollars. Other customers include DHL Express, Evia Aero, which is developing a sustainable regional airline, the Australian scheduled and charter airline Northern Territory Air Services (NTAS), and the UK-based regional aircraft lessor Monte. The most recent order for 50 units came from the aviation leasing company Aerolease.
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