Nice Cote d’Azur airport has formed a partnership with Blade, Heli Securite and Monacair to prepare for the launch of Europe’s first commercial eVTOL operations. The alliance will support the introduction of Joby Aviation’s electric air taxi on the French Riviera, once the aircraft is certified by European and French authorities.

The region’s helicopter passenger market has operated for more than 50 years, connecting international travellers to destinations including Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez. Nice’s coastal location allows flight paths that avoid densely populated areas, a factor the partners cite as making the airport well suited to host early eVTOL services.

Heli Securite operates scheduled commercial helicopter services within France, including the Nice-Monaco route, bringing experience in delivering regulated air services. Monacair, Monaco’s long-established helicopter operator, contributes expertise in the principality’s market and in premium air transport. Blade, Joby’s air mobility brand, is supporting commercial and operational development of the future eVTOL service, drawing on its experience in on-demand air mobility to bridge current operations with the progressive deployment of Joby’s aircraft.

Franck Goldnadel, chairman of the board of Aeroports de la Cote d'Azur, says: “As a laboratory for the airport of the future, we support innovations that help maintain the attractiveness and connectivity of our region while reducing CO₂ emissions and the noise generated by air traffic. We would be particularly proud for Nice Cote d'Azur airport to become the first airport in Europe to welcome eVTOL operations.”

Joby Aviation founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt adds: “Electric aviation has the potential to fundamentally transform the way we travel by making air transport cleaner, quieter and more accessible. Nice Cote d'Azur airport is setting a benchmark for how airports can prepare for this new era of aviation, and we are proud to give the public the opportunity to discover our aircraft.”

Joby’s aircraft is designed to operate without direct CO₂ emissions and with lower noise output than conventional helicopters. The four partners are building on the Riviera’s existing helicopter network and operational experience as they prepare for certification and the eventual start of commercial eVTOL flights.