Vertical Aerospace and Héli Air Monaco Forge Strategic Partnership to Bring Electric Air Mobility to the French Riviera
Vertical Aerospace (“Vertical” or the “Company”) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace and technology innovator shaping the next era of electric aviation, has announced a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Héli Air Monaco, the founding helicopter operator serving the French Riviera. The agreement includes a pre-order for Vertical’s newly unveiled electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Valo, laying the groundwork for a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable air mobility ecosystem across one of Europe’s most visited and prestigious regions.
Unveiled in London earlier today, Valo represents Vertical’s latest breakthrough in advanced air mobility. The aircraft offers a spacious, premium cabin experience and is designed to meet the highest aviation safety standards while delivering zero-operating-emission flights. Vertical Aerospace aims to achieve concurrent certification with both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 2028—signaling a major step toward electric air transport becoming a commercial reality.
Through this partnership, Héli Air Monaco will integrate the Valo aircraft across its operational network, connecting iconic destinations such as Monaco, Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez. The deployment will introduce passengers to new levels of comfort and environmental sustainability while preserving the coastal beauty and cultural richness that define the Côte d’Azur.
A Milestone for Sustainable Aviation in the French Riviera
The collaboration between Vertical Aerospace and Héli Air Monaco marks a pivotal moment for clean aviation in Europe. The French Riviera—home to some of the world’s busiest and most recognized short-haul air taxi routes—has long been a showcase for helicopter mobility, particularly around Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. By transitioning to eVTOL aircraft, the region is positioned to lead in adopting silent, zero-emission flight technology.
Valo’s launch reflects a broader industry shift: airports, regulators, and operators are increasingly focused on reducing carbon footprints and noise impacts. Electric aviation, once considered experimental, is moving closer to mainstream adoption thanks to technological advancements, supportive regulatory frameworks, and strong market demand for low-impact travel solutions.
For the Riviera specifically, the introduction of electric aircraft carries multiple long-term benefits:
- Noise Reduction: eVTOLs operate substantially quieter than traditional helicopters, particularly during take-off and landing—crucial for densely populated, environmentally sensitive coastal areas.
- Zero-Operating Emissions: Valo flights eliminate emissions during operation, supporting local and European sustainability objectives.
- Higher Operational Efficiency: Electric propulsion promises lower operating costs, more predictable maintenance, and improved reliability.
- Enhanced Passenger Experience: With modern cabin design and smoother flight characteristics, eVTOLs elevate short-distance air travel into a more serene and enjoyable experience.
The partnership aligns with broader EU strategies encouraging sustainable mobility, decarbonization of short-distance travel, and the creation of greener multimodal transport networks.
Valo: A New Standard for Comfort and Safety in eVTOL Flight
Vertical Aerospace’s unveiling of the Valo aircraft comes after years of design research, engineering advancements, and customer collaboration. Valo has been conceived as a premium, passenger-first vehicle that blends high performance, exceptional comfort, and safety.
Premium Cabin Features
Valo’s initial configuration features:
- Seating for four passengers, with a planned expansion to six
- A spacious, luxury-oriented interior with panoramic windows
- Generous personal space designed for comfort during short flights
- Storage capacity for six cabin bags and six check-in bags—unusual for eVTOL aircraft
The design reflects Vertical’s focus on elevating the travel experience, making Valo suitable not only for tourism and leisure mobility but also for business travelers, VIP shuttle services, and high-value airport transfers.
Uncompromising Safety
Valo is engineered to meet Europe’s ultra-stringent 10⁻⁹ safety standard, a benchmark synonymous with the highest levels of commercial aviation safety globally. The standard requires aircraft to demonstrate no more than one catastrophic failure per one billion flight hours, setting a high bar for certification.
Vertical Aerospace’s flight testing program, established partnerships, and extensive simulation work are all geared toward meeting this certification target.
A Strengthened Ecosystem: Côte d’Azur Airports and Monaco Heliport Join the Initiative
The success of eVTOL operations relies not only on the aircraft themselves but also on the readiness of the surrounding infrastructure. To support the transition toward electric flight, both Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur and Monaco Heliport are actively collaborating on the initiative.
These organizations are working with Vertical Aerospace and Héli Air Monaco to plan and implement necessary infrastructure adaptations, which may include:
- Charging facilities for electric aircraft
- Revised ground operations processes
- Updated passenger flow protocols
- Enhanced safety systems tailored to eVTOL operations
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is the second busiest airport in France and an essential gateway for the region. Its support adds significant momentum to the project, while Monaco Heliport—one of Europe’s most iconic urban heliports—represents a high-value use case for electric air mobility.
Executive Perspectives on the Partnership
Vertical Aerospace
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, emphasized the strategic significance of the collaboration:
Vertical and Héli Air Monaco share a vision for cleaner, quieter and more efficient travel across one of the world’s most iconic coastlines. This partnership builds on today’s launch of Valo, our new aircraft, and accelerates our momentum toward bringing electric flight to market. Together, we will redefine air mobility across the Côte d’Azur.
His remarks underscore the synergy between technological innovation and regional mobility needs, highlighting the growing momentum behind electric aviation.
Héli Air Monaco
Jacques Crovetto, CEO of Héli Air Monaco, articulated the operator’s commitment to sustainable transformation:
Crovetto’s vision aligns with the increasing expectations of tourists, residents, and regulators for cleaner and quieter transport solutions.
Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur
Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Management Board, underscored the region’s unique opportunity:
The arrival of electric vertical take-off aircraft extends our efforts in transforming and decarbonizing air mobility, particularly over short distances. Our region offers a unique opportunity to fly over the sea to directly connect the main economic, cultural, or tourist destinations.
Goldnadel highlighted that eVTOLs could serve not only coastal connections but also routes extending into the hinterland, shaping the Airports of the Côte d’Azur as a testbed for the aviation solutions of tomorrow.
Monaco Directorate of Civil Aviation
Jérôme Journet, Director of Civil Aviation, welcomed the technological step forward:
We welcome the announcement of this new generation of aircraft, which promises a major step forward toward a decarbonized, quieter, and more environmentally-friendly aviation.
His statement reflects Monaco’s forward-looking aviation strategy and its commitment to sustainable urban mobility.
Shaping the Future of Regional Air Mobility
The French Riviera has long been synonymous with luxury travel, marine tourism, and international events such as the Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival. By adopting electric aviation early, the region is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable premium mobility.
As demand for low-impact travel increases, eVTOLs like Valo are poised to reshape travel patterns by:
- Reducing road congestion
- Enhancing airport-to-city accessibility
- Expanding air taxi service coverage
- Supporting sustainable tourism
- Reducing the carbon footprint of travel
By 2028, with certification, infrastructure, and fleet integration in place, the Côte d’Azur could become one of the world’s most advanced electric air mobility corridors.
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