Vertical Aerospace, a UK-based electric aviation firm, and Heli Air Monaco, a founding helicopter operator in the French Riviera, have signed an MoU for the pre-order of Vertical's Valo aircraft, opening a new chapter for sustainable air mobility along the Cote d'Azur.

The Valo, recently unveiled in London and offering a premium cabin experience, is targeting concurrent regulatory certification with the European Union and UK aviation regulators in 2028. Heli Air Monaco will operate the Valo across its network, connecting destinations such as Monaco, Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez through quiet, comfortable, zero-operating emission flights.

This partnership signals an important step toward decarbonised aviation in Europe, enabling electric, quiet operations on some of the world's busiest air taxi routes around Nice airport.

The deployment of Valo will help preserve the Riviera's environment while elevating the region's premium hospitality and travel offering. Heli Air Monaco will integrate the Valo into its high-end mobility services, offering seamless transfers between airports and heliports.

The Valo's premium, spacious cabin expects to initially seat four and later six passengers, with panoramic windows, generous personal space and capacity for six cabin bags and six check-in bags, setting a new standard of comfort for the region. Valo is designed to be certified to Europe's 10-9 safety standard, reflecting the highest levels of commercial aviation safety globally.

The partnership is being supported by Aeroports de la Cote d'Azur and Monaco Heliport to develop the infrastructure adaptations required for the Valo's future operations.

Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, says: “Vertical and Heli Air Monaco share a vision for cleaner, quieter and more efficient travel across one of the world's most iconic coastlines. This partnership builds on today's launch of Valo, our new aircraft, and accelerates our momentum toward bringing electric flight to market. Together, we will redefine air mobility across the Cote d'Azur.”

Jacques Crovetto, CEO of Heli Air Monaco, adds: “With Valo, we are reimagining the future of travel across the Riviera. By decarbonising our fleet of helicopters and dramatically reducing our noise footprint, we will be delivering a flight experience for our passengers that respects our neighbours and our environment, and shapes a sustainable future.”

Franck Goldnadel, chairman of the management board of Aéroports de la Cote d'Azur, states: “The arrival of electric vertical take-off aircraft extends our efforts in transforming and decarbonising air mobility, particularly over short distances. Our region offers a unique opportunity to fly over the sea to directly connect the main economic, cultural or tourist destinations. As an alternative to the helicopter, the eVTOL has its place in the air transport offering and can provide a new short distance mobility solution in the future, including toward the hinterland. The airports of the Cote d'Azur, a laboratory for the airport of tomorrow, with the second largest platform in France and the gateway in and out of a landlocked region, must support these new decarbonised modes of mobility.”

Jérôme Journet, director of civil aviation in the Principality of Monaco, concludes: “We welcome the announcement of this new generation of aircraft, which promises a major step forward toward a decarbonised, quieter and more environmentally-friendly aviation. The expertise developed in urban and regional air mobility places our region in a favourable position to support the emergence of more sustainable air transport solutions.”