N E W S
Boeing’s eVTOL Passenger
Air Vehicle made its first flight
in January and is progressing
rapidly through testing
EUROPEAN REGULATOR INTRODUCES
AIR TAXI RULES AS NUMBER OF
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS INCREASES
The European Union
Aviation Safety Agency
has released the first
regulations to enable
the safe operation of hybrid and
electrical vertical take-off and
landing aircraft.
Patrick Ky, executive director
production, not at today’s
commercial volumes”
of the European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) said, “The
establishment of a common set of
conditions for the certification of these
new concepts of vehicles will enable fair
competition in the European market as well
as provide clarity for future manufacturers and
their investors.”
“The market will
have to deliver at
automotive rates of
Robin Lineberger, principal of US and global
aerospace and defense at Deloitte Consulting
The special condition published this month by
EASA provides a framework for manufacturers to
develop electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL)
aircraft and applies to eVTOLs capable of carrying up
to nine passengers with a maximum certified take-off
weight of up to 3175kg.
EASA has introduced two certification categories
within the special condition, basic and enhanced,
to cover different types of operations, including
14 | BU S INE S S A I R P O R T INT E RNAT I ONA L J U L Y 2 0 1 9
flying over congested areas and the
commercial air transportation of
passengers.
The regulation-update comes as
research shows that development of
electric aircraft has doubled over the
last year, with eVTOLs representing
the largest number of projects.
According to consultancy Roland
Berger there are 170 electrically
propelled aircraft in development around
the world, a number which could rise to
more than 200 by the end of 2019. More than
100 of these are urban air taxis.
Consultancy Deloitte this month also released
the results of a two-year study about eVTOLs which
estimates that the market in the USA alone could be
worth US$17 billion by 2040.
Robin Lineberger, principal of US and global
aerospace and defense at Deloitte Consulting said
production of eVTOLs in large numbers could change
the industry significantly. “The market will have to
deliver at automotive rates of production, not at
today’s commercial volumes for either fixed wing
or rotary.”