LONDON – Airbus and Munich Airport International signed a Memorandum of Understanding at ILA Berlin Air Show. In partnership, they will start marketing turnkey solutions to cities and regions interested in developing advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystems globally.
eVTOL technology and infrastructure support
Airbus is developing CityAirbus NextGen, its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, along with key support and services offerings around it, while Munich Airport (MAI) is offering ground infrastructure services and solutions.
Ivonne Kuger, Executive VP Corporate Development MAI, said:
“Munich Airport International is already collaborating with Airbus on the Air Mobility Initiative recently launched in Munich – now we are expanding that partnership globally to support select cities and regions around the world.”
“As Europe’s first 5-star airport Munich Airport has always been at the forefront of innovation and it is crucial for airports to be actively involved in developing and paving the way for this new form of transport,”Kuger added.
Balkiz Sarihan, Head of UAM Partnerships and Strategy Execution at Airbus, said:
“The development of the market, industry, and the ultimate service of AAM requires a holistic view and this has been our approach from the beginning.”
“In addition to our decades of vehicle and technology development, certification, and support, we are actively building working ecosystems with our partners.”
“We are sure that our partnership with Munich Airport will be a key catalyst for accelerating the development of the AAM ecosystems worldwide.”
The future integration of eVTOL technology
The successful integration of the different AAM elements requires a strong cooperation between global and local stakeholders combining key competencies.
The objective is to create completely new ecosystems that ensure a safe and seamless integration of eVTOL solutions with other means of mobility bringing added value to cities and communities.
Airbus has been one of the pioneers in exploring how electric propulsion can help drive the development of new kinds of aerial vehicles.
In September 2021, Airbus unveiled its fully electric eVTOL prototype, CityAirbus NextGen. Airbus is developing an AAM solution with eVTOLs not only to offer a new mobility service, but also as an important step in its quest to reduce emissions in aviation across its product range.
The company recently announced the launch of the Air Mobility Initiative, a consortium of partners dedicated to the advancement of AAM in Bavaria and Germany.
The benefits of EVTOL technology
Electric vertical takeoff and landing technology (eVTOL) is one of the newest innovations in the aerospace industry. Similar to a drone, a range of electrically driven omni-directional fans allow the aircraft to operate in any direction, and takeoff and land vertically.
The benefits with respect to emissions reduction and the move away from fossil fuels is clear. As an “air taxi” aircraft, the VTOL capability permits operations in a relatively small alighting area.
A further feature benefit lies in the fact that the electric propulsion is quiet, and can be “noise cancelling”. This means superior passenger comfort, but more importantly, it greatly reduces the aircraft’s environmental/noise footprint.
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