Helicopter operator Bristow today rolled out yet another element of its expansion into the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector, announcing a partnership with Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions. Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), Bristow will work with the Embraer subsidiary to develop an air operator’s certificate (AOCs) for Eve’s four-passenger eVTOL aircraft and has also committed to buying up 100 of the new model, with deliveries to begin in 2026.
Over the past month, Bristow has made provisional commitments to buy up to 200 electric aircraft that in some cases will replace rotorcraft now in its fleet. On August 26, it agreed to take 50 of Electra Aero’s eSTOL model, and on September 21 it committed to take 50 of Vertical Aerospace’s VA-X4 eVTOL model, which competes directly with the Eve aircraft and is expected to enter service two years earlier in 2024.
Bristow’s aim is to diversify its business model, which for a long time has been largely built around offshore passenger flights to and from oil and gas platforms. With AOCs in multiple countries around the world, the Texas-based group considers itself well-positioned to pursue new AAM applications, including logistics flights, cargo deliveries, and search-and-rescue missions. The company is also keen to support multiple eVTOL manufacturers and other operators with services such as aircraft maintenance and crew training.
“This strategic MoU outlines the continued development of a comprehensive urban air mobility model between Bristow and Eve for an eVTOL that could potentially reshape the market for all-electric vertical lift with zero emissions and low operating costs,” said Bristow president and CEO Chris Bradshaw. “This allows us to expand our expertise to provide sustainable, innovative, and efficient vertical lift into potential end markets.”
Eve’s aircraft is expected to have a range of up to 60 miles and to complete type certification in 2026. The company says it will be 80 percent quieter than comparable helicopters and have 50 percent lower operating costs.
