Embraer’s urban air mobility unit Eve has secured fresh commitments for its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — its second major order in about a week.
Brazil-based helicopter operator Helisul signed for up to 50 eVTOLs, states Embraer, taking the unit’s orderbook to up to 250 examples.
On 1 June, private urban air mobility (UAM) provider Halo has become the launch customer for Eve’s eVTOL aircraft, after it ordered 200 examples.
Deliveries for both Halo and Helisul are expected to start in 2026. Eve has been making progress in its eVTOL concept — last July it completed the first flights of its engineering simulator. This was followed by the unveiling of its proof of concept in October.
Disclosing the latest order, Embraer adds that Eve and Helisul will also enter a partnership “that will focus on creating an ecosystem-wide approach to prepare for Urban Air Mobility operations in Brazil”.
At the onset, both companies will work together to develop a proof-of-concept operation, using helicopters to “validate parameters” for future eVTOL operations.
“This partnership aims to develop new services and procedures that, together with communities and other industry stakeholders, can create a safe and scalable operating environment for eVTOL operations to expand, focusing on critical aspects to design for all users, including how to maximise accessibility and inclusiveness in vertiports and eVTOL boarding operations,” states Embraer.
The latest partnership is a step up from the existing collaboration between both companies, which have already been working together to evaluate UAM solutions for Brazil. They hope to leverage the country’s existing air taxi infrastructure for future usage of Eve aircraft.
Says Luis Carlos Munhoz da Rocha, Helisul Aviation commercial director: “With cities growing bigger and traffic more and more congested, our partnership to build intelligent solutions and practices for urban mobility in the big cities will improve quality of life reducing air pollution and moving times with door-to-door transportation.”
President and chief executive of Eve Andre Stein adds: “Disruptive Urban Air Mobility solutions can bring same type of benefits that aviation already brought to longer trips literally closer to people, giving urban commuters more options to move around the city.”
