Airbus has showcased its fully electric CityAirbus NextGen prototype to the public, in anticipation of its inaugural flight later this year. Weighing in the two-tonne class and boasting a wingspan of approximately 12 metres, the CityAirbus is designed with an 80 km range and a cruise speed of 120 km/h, making it an ideal candidate for diverse missions in major cities.
The unveiling coincided with the inauguration of the new CityAirbus test centre in Donauwörth, Germany, exclusively dedicated to testing systems for electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs). This facility is part of Airbus’ substantial and long-term investment in advanced air mobility (AAM). Operational since December 2023, the centre initiated testing with the CityAirbus NextGen’s power-on and will now proceed with essential tests covering the eight-rotor electric motors, flight controls, avionics and other critical aircraft systems ahead of its maiden flight later this year.
Balkiz Sarihan, Head of Urban Air Mobility at Airbus, expressed the significance of this milestone, stating, “Rolling out CityAirbus NextGen for the very first time is an important and very real step that we are taking towards advanced air mobility and our future product and market. Thank you to our community, team, and partners all over the world for helping us make this a reality.”
Simultaneously, Airbus is strategically expanding its global network and partnerships to cultivate a unique ecosystem, fostering a successful and viable advanced air mobility (AAM) market. A recent partnership agreement with LCI, a prominent aviation company, emphasizes collaboration in three core AAM areas: strategy, commercialisation and financing, as Airbus continues to shape the future of urban air transportation.
