Global commercial aircraft and helicopter marketing specialist Blueberry Aviation plans to be a distributor for Swiss eVTOL aircraft developer Dufour Aerospace. In an announcement on April 4, Dufour said that Monaco-based Blueberry has agreed to acquire 100 examples of each of its Aero2 and Aero3 hybrid-electric tiltwing aircraft.
Plans called for Blueberry to market the new models as part of trade-in deals with existing helicopter operators, and also to make loan or leasing arrangements for customers. Dufour sees the collaboration as a way to further develop its customer base and sign up launch customers for aircraft that it says will combine the benefits of VTOL and conventional STOL runway operations.
The larger Aero3 model will be piloted and be able to carry up to eight passengers or cargo on flights of up to around 1,020 km (637 miles) at a cruise speed of 350 km/h (218 mph). Dufour views it as an ideal replacement for helicopters involved in transportation services, as well as for roles like emergency medical support, search and rescue, and surveillance. It expects to complete EASA type certification in 2025 and start deliveries in 2026.
The smaller, remotely piloted Aero 2 will carry a payload of 40 kg (88.18 pounds) as far as 400 km (250 miles). Calling the Aero2 ideal for surveillance and mapping activities, critical cargo delivery, and public security activities such as search and rescue and firefighting, Dufour expects the vehicle to win certification in 2023 and enter into service in 2024.
Blueberry Aviation was founded in 2023 and also has operations in Dublin, New York, and Singapore. The company says it has completed over 460 helicopter transactions with a combined value of around $1.7 billion, as well as 155 commercial, fixed-wing aircraft deals with 65 customers worth more than $3.4 billion.
