ITA Airways and the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has signed an agreement to develop urban air mobility (UAM) in Italy.
ITA and Airbus collaborate on UAM development
ITA Airways and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim to investigate the possibilities of designing tailored emission-free UAM services.
ITA and Airbus will jointly work to bring other local mobility stakeholders on board. The two parties aim to find additional support for launching the CityAirbus NextGen electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which is currently being developed.
Moreover, the two companies are also looking for pilot cases that would enhance the public acceptance and understanding of UAM by demonstrating the added value such a project could bring about in terms of sustainability.
ITA Chairman, Alfredo Altavilla, stated:
“The partnership between ITA Airways and Airbus started with the evolution towards more modern, more comfortable and environmentally friendly commercial aircraft (…). With this agreement, our partnership expands to the segment of urban air mobility for a wider, customer-centric, innovative, and sustainable offer for our customers.”
CityAirbus NextGen
CityAirbus NextGen is a fully electric vehicle, recognizable through its V-shaped tail and eight electrically-powered propellers. It can carry up to 8 passengers, including the pilot. It covers a distance of up to 80 km, with a maximum cruise speed of 120 km/h.
Airbus CEO, Guillaume Faury, said:
“This agreement (…) is an opportunity to leverage our shared ambition – pioneering sustainable aerospace – and advance new air mobility solutions for zero-emission vertical flight in support of our cities and communities later this decade.“
ITA and Airbus
ITA Airways, born in 2021, has so far based its fleet renewal on Airbus aircraft: 7 A220s, 11 A320neos, and 10 A330neos. Moreover, the A350 will join the fleet this summer. Such new, environmentally-friendly aircraft show ITA’s commitment to decarbonising aviation.
What do you think of the UAM project? Let us know in the comment below!
