South Korea-based start up MintAir has signed a letter of intent with Jaunt Air Mobility to form a strategic partnership and purchase up to 40 Journey eVTOL aircraft. MintAir will serve as Jaunt’s exclusive advanced air mobility (AAM) partner in the Korean market.

Jaunt is approaching the design and certification of an eVTOL aircraft from a unique market position utilising slowed rotor compound (SRC) technologies and partnerships with tier 1 aerospace suppliers.

"The Jaunt Journey's aircraft design offers the safest air taxi configuration that is operationally efficient, quiet and sustainable," says ceo Martin Peryea, who has more than 40 years of commercial aviation experience certifying rotorcraft.

MintAir is building an AAM service in the Republic of Korea and will work with Jaunt to launch commercial passenger air transportation operations in several Korean markets. MintAir intends to launch AAM services with a particular type of eVTOL design; an electric rotorcraft with a single main rotor like the Jaunt Journey. Electric rotorcraft provide superior safety through autorotation, energy-saving efficiency, lower operating costs and a clear path to certification.

"Our mission is to develop the safest advanced air mobility service in both urban and rural environments based on sound ESG management,” says MintAir ceo Eugene Choi. “Jaunt Air Mobility is committed to those same principles throughout the aircraft's lifecycle, and we are confident the Jaunt Journey will transport the public with the highest level of safety."

"We are pleased to team with MintAir to bring this new form of advanced air transportation to the Korean markets," adds Jaunt CCO Simon Briceno. "We are excited to showcase our safe and efficient aircraft to the Korean public."

Jaunt Air Mobility aircraft will be designed and manufactured in Montreal, Canada. President Eric Cote says: “Canada is a global exporter of aerospace, and with customers like MintAir, Jaunt is developing partnerships worldwide.”

In July 2021, MintAir placed an order with US gyroplane developer Skyworks Aeronautics for 100 eGyro eVTOL aircraft, a deal that included options for an additional 100 aircraft plus development of a pilot training programme and maintenance and repair capability.