CONTINUING the diversification of its business airasia plans to launch an air ride-sharing service across South-east Asia by 2025 in partnership with international aircraft leasing company Avolon.
The budget carrier has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to lease 100 VX4 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from Avolon last week on the sidelines of the 2022 Singapore Air Show (15-18 February).
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In addition to the lease of the eVTOL aircraft to airasia, Avolon, through its investment and innovation affiliate Avolon-e, will partner with the budget carrier to commercialise zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft and develop an urban air mobility (UAM) platform in South-east Asia.
The inking of the deal to launch an air ride-sharing service in South-east Asia (L-R) Capital A’s Tony Fernandes and Avolon’s Dómhnal Slattery.
airasia said the partnership would allow it “to further revolutionise air travel by providing advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers, connecting more efficiently in everyday lives.”
The VX4 can carry four passenger and a pilot at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, a range over100 miles near silent when in flight, zero operating emissions and low cost per passenger mile.
Dómhnal Slattery, CEO of Avolon, said the two partners would “develop a ride sharing platform and bring the zero-emissions VX4 aircraft into service, positioning airasia as the operator of choice for sustainable air travel in the region.”
airasia plans to leverage its super app to build the eVTOL ride-sharing platform.
Meanwhile, CEO of Capital A (formerly AirAsia Group) Tony Fernandes said he is “truly excited” over the potential for zero-emissions ultra-short-haul air travel.
“The digital era is now. In the VX4, we have identified what we believe will be the eVTOL aircraft of choice and we are thrilled to be the launch airline for the aircraft in South-east Asia,” he added.
airasia and Avolon will work together to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals and local certification, research market potential opportunities and infrastructure requirements for the urban air mobility platform across the region.
• All image credit: airasia
