ITA Airways and Airbus to collaborate on Urban Air Mobility (UAM)

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.”

ITA A350 landing. @ Gianfranco Abrusci / Travel Radar
ITA A350 landing. @ Gianfranco Abrusci / Travel Radar

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! 

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Giacomo Amati
Giacomo Amati
Aviation Reporter - Giacomo has been passionate about commercial aviation since his very childhood. Currently, he is pursuing a Master in Air Transport Management at the University of Surrey, UK. His expertise within the industry entails an internship with Emirates Airlines in Milan Malpensa airport and a bachelor's thesis on the financial status of the former Italian national carrier, Alitalia. Besides aviation, Giacomo loves foreign languages, German being his favourite one, and travelling.

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