European Helicopter Association (EHA) chairman Fredrik Kampfe has met Vertical Aviation International (VAI) president and CEO Francois Lassale and the VAI management team for discussions on the future of the associations’ collaboration and strategic priorities facing the vertical aviation sector.

The meeting at VAI’s headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, builds on the relationship developed through European Rotors, which was founded in 2021. The European Rotors partnership was recently extended through the Milan 2027 edition, with both organisations also committing to extend their collaboration through to 2032. The next edition will take place this year in Lyon, France, from 30 November to 3 December.

Discussions also focused on connecting VAI’s global membership network, representing vertical aviation operators, manufacturers and professionals across more than 60 countries, with EHA’s European base. The associations aim to give the sector a more unified global voice on policy, legislative, safety, regulatory and sustainability issues that cross borders.

EHA and VAI already coordinate on international regulatory matters including the safe integration of BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) drone operations, electronic conspicuity and the development of right-of-way rules for airspace shared by crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

VAI president and CEO Francois Lassale says: “European Rotors has shown what EHA and VAI can build when we work as true partners. Continuing this relationship lets us extend that same spirit of collaboration to the bigger questions facing our industry: safety, sustainability and the future of vertical flight, for members on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Kampfe says: “Vertical aviation's challenges and opportunities do not stop at Europe's borders. My visit to VAI confirmed how much our two communities share, from safety and the future workforce to the regulatory questions that will define the next decade of vertical flight.

“EHA values the partnership we have built with VAI through European Rotors and as institutional partners, and we look forward to deepening our strategic dialogue so the sector speaks with one coordinated voice.”