NEOM and Volocopter Partner To Create the First Bespoke Public eVTOL Mobility System

NEOM, the smart and sustainable regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia, and Volocopter have established a joint venture company to design, implement and operate the world’s first bespoke public vertical mobility system in NEOM.

Air taxi and vertical logistics services will be fully integrated with the multi-modal and zero-emission public transit system in NEOM. The open electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) ecosystem includes services for logistics, emergency response, and tourism. NEOM is confirmed to have placed an order for five Volocopter aircraft to start initial flight operations within the next two to three years.

Volocopter and NEOM also have agreed on an initial order of ten (10) VoloCity passenger and five (5) VoloDrone logistics aircraft to support the early activation of flight operations. In addition, the joint venture plans to scale up activities from the start of 2022 to incubate urban air mobility (UAM) in the region.

eVTOLs are crucial to NEOM’s mobility mission, as they enable transportation without massive surface infrastructure. eVTOLs will also connect NEOM’s core urban development and other regions without extensive road construction. This will ensure the protection of NEOM’s unique natural environment.

Florian Lennert Head of Mobility at NEOM believes that “Volocopter is internationally recognized for leading innovation in the eVTOL industry and is a perfect match for our ambitious goals to create the first truly sustainable, shared, and seamlessly integrated mobility system in the world.”

Christian Bauer, Chief Commercial Officer of Volocopter, remains positive, “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be an essential part of designing and operating a completely new UAM ecosystem from the ground up without the constraint of legacy infrastructure or regulation, and as pioneers in the industry, Volocopter is honored to be the trusted partner to contribute to NEOM’s ambitious vision.”