Sydney Seaplanes, Australia’s most prominent tourism flight operator, has entered into a partnership with Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions (Eve) that includes the purchase of 50 Eve electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with progressive deliveries anticipated to commence in 2026. The partnership begins the groundwork for proposed electric air taxi operations in the Greater Sydney area and a further step in the direction of achieving zero carbon emissions from all Greater Sydney’s tourism and commuter flights.
In addition to providing the eVTOL aircraft, Eve will also provide globally recognised air traffic management software in order to facilitate the scaling up of the urban air mobility (UAM) industry, along with maintenance, training and other services. Sydney Seaplanes began operations in 2005 with a single six-seat De Haviland Beaver aircraft while, to date, the company has flown some 80,000 flights, transporting 425,000 passengers. In 2020, Sydney seaplanes announced plans to create an all-electric and zero-emissions regional airline Alt Air as soon as 2022, with first all-electric flights planned as early as 2024. Introducing eVTOL aircraft offers an opportunity to extend the catchment of the Rose Bay aviation facilities to efficiently serve all of Greater Sydney.
Commenting on the agreement, Aaron Shaw, CEO of Sydney Seaplanes said: “This is an exciting development for Sydney Seaplanes. Sydney needs a post-COVID lift and what better way to do that than by developing high-tech and zero carbon jobs that support transport, tourism and the vibrancy of this wonderful city. Eve’s eVTOL technology will integrate seamlessly with our electric amphibious fleet to deliver a range of tourism and commuter journeys.”
