Eve Air Mobility and Singapore-based Yugo Global Industries, whose network includes southeast Asian operators PhilJets in the Philippines and Helistar in Cambodia, are to study the potential for urban air mobility and eVTOL flights in southeast Asia, specifically potential infrastructure requirements and regulations, service centre and vertiport size and capabilities, and ground handling.

"We are looking forward to collaboratively working with Yugo to study and help define the UAM ecosystem in Singapore and southeast Asia," says Eve CEO Johann Bordais. "Our goal is to also understand and define a business model that not only enables eVTOL flights in the region, but also advances the overall mobility ecosystem."

"We strongly believe that southeast Asian economies will greatly contribute to the development of the eVTOL and UAM industry," adds Yugo chairman Thierry Tea. "Our collaboration with Eve will offer valuable insights into the essential requirements for regional air mobility development."

Eve has been helping introduce UAM in the Asia Pacific region and is already working with various key stakeholders to collaboratively build the ecosystems and explore future operations in multiple countries.

The region's aviation infrastructure is rapidly advancing; under construction are the New Manila International airport in the Philippines and Cambodia's Phnom Penh Techo International airport, set to open in 2025. To reduce carbon emissions, they are exploring charging stations and flight routes for flying taxis and electric jets.

Singapore is the first mover in southeast Asia for UAM and can provide neighbouring countries with a template to support further ecosystem development. For instance, OCIC Group, is partnering with Changi airport and Singapore Airline Engineering.

Eve has begun construction of its full-scale prototype and is on schedule to begin testing the aircraft in 2024. It currently has 2,850 orders and the aircraft is scheduled to enter service in 2026.

Eve will offer customers instant access to an existing worldwide network of service centres through its relationship with Embraer, and is developing a range of solutions to ensure that it is able to support its customers on day one, ranging from flight operations solutions and network optimisation to data management and eVTOL health monitoring.

"These types of collaborations and agreements are a critical first step toward pursuing eVTOL flights. We are looking forward to working with Yugo and other key stakeholders as we begin this project," says Bordais.