Embraer company Eve UAM announced today a new partnership with commercial regional aircraft leasing company Falko Regional Aircraft Limited to develop a global network of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) operators in support of Urban Air Mobility missions.

As part of the new partnership, the companies will establish a working group to collaborate with Falko’s existing operators to develop initial route networks where Eve’s aircraft can be deployed in early adopter markets. Eve’s product portfolio of air traffic management software, service capabilities, and fleet operation services will also be introduced to create a network for each Falko lessee using Eve’s aircraft.

The agreement also includes a Letter of Intent for a potential order for 200 of EVE’s eVTOL aircraft.

Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve, said:

“Our partnership with Falko, a trusted aircraft leasing leader, cements our position in the global Urban Air Mobility marketplace and not only widens our potential operator base through Falko’s global customer footprint but increases our ability to provide full stack solutions, through partnerships. We are proud to have Falko as a strategic partner in Eve as our two organizations collaborate to lead a new generation of sustainable innovation, in aviation.”

The new announcement follows Embraer’s launch of a series of  ESG goals and initiatives in August 2021, including a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2040, a target to enter the zero emissions aviation market with plans to launch an eVTOL aircraft by 2026, and a goal to achieve net zero aviation emissions by 2050.

Eve is currently in the process of gaining an NYSE listing, through its recently announced business combination with SPAC Zanite Acquisition Corp, valuing the company at a $2.4 billion enterprise value. Following the transaction, expected to close in Q2 2022, Embraer will retain an 82% stake in the company.

Jeremy Barnes, CEO of Falko, said:

“I am thrilled to announce this huge development in our long-standing and successful relationship with Embraer. We are very excited by our strategic partnership with Eve which forms part of our drive to be at the forefront of the greening of the aviation sector. We firmly believe in the prospects of the eVTOL market and that Eve, with the support of Embraer’s experience in the manufacturing, certification and support of aircraft, will be a market leader.”