The aircraft—which take off vertically like a helicopter but cruise on fixed wings like an airplane—could begin flying passengers in the Big Apple as soon as next year.

Atlantic on Thursday said the chargers will be installed at its terminal at the East 34th Street Heliport (6N5) on the Manhattan waterfront, where the company this week agreed with the city’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to extend its operations for the next five years.

The location is a hub for trips in and around New York City and handles flights for New York University’s Langone Health Center. And according to Atlantic, eVTOL manufacturers Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation—which have announced New York City as a launch market in partnership with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, respectively—plan to use the site in the coming years.

To accommodate both companies’ air taxis, Atlantic will install combined charging system (CCS) and global electric aviation charging system (GEACS) chargers.

The CCS was originally designed as a standard for electric ground vehicles and has been widely endorsed—including by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), as well as Archer and other manufacturers—as the standard for eVTOL aircraft. Joby chose to develop its own system, GEACS, which like the CCS is billed as a universal charger for electric aircraft. The main difference is that CCS systems can also accommodate ground vehicles.

Atlantic said it is working with Joby, Archer, and a third partner, Beta Technologies, to ensure that all certified eVTOL models can land at the heliport as soon as they receive the FAA’s green light to begin flying passengers.

“Maintaining our presence at the East 34th Street Heliport and expanding infrastructure there to support eVTOL operations aligns with our commitment to community-beneficial transportation solutions and will support New York City on its journey to facilitating quiet and sustainable aviation operations,” said John Redcay, chief commercial and sustainability officer at Atlantic.

New York is already home to scheduled and on-demand helicopter services such as Blade Air Mobility. But eVTOL air taxi manufacturers promise a service that is faster and quieter.

Joby and Archer, through its Archer Air subsidiary, each own FAA Part 135 air carrier permissions and are in the thick of the type certification process. The companies intend to offer flights to and from local airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK), with eVTOL air taxis that can carry up to four passengers plus a pilot.

The zero-emission aircraft cruise at around 150 to 200 mph, charging in about 10-15 minutes for minimal downtime between flights. They are also significantly quieter than helicopters—NASA, for example, found that Joby’s air taxi produces about as much noise as a typical conversation at cruising altitude.

Joby earlier this month showcased its air taxi at New York’s Grand Central Terminal and last year performed the first eVTOL demonstration flights in the city, lifting off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (KJRB) as Mayor Eric Adams and other officials looked on. Adams after the event announced the city’s plans to electrify the heliport.

Joby and Delta, meanwhile, are working with the New York Port Authority and NYCEDC to build eVTOL infrastructure at JFK and LaGuardia International Airport (KLGA). According to the manufacturer, an air taxi flight from Manhattan to JFK would take about seven minutes compared to an hour-plus drive by car.

Archer, on the other hand, estimates a flight in its Midnight air taxi from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to United’s terminal at Newark Liberty would take about 10 minutes, compared to more than an hour in rush hour traffic. The company will initially operate airport-to-city-center “trunk” routes before adding “branch” routes that connect wider communities.

“New York City is leading the way in embracing this exciting new technology…that will bring significant quality of life improvements for New Yorkers and new sustainable transportation,” said Andrew Kimball, president and CEO of NYCEDC. “NYCEDC looks forward to working with Atlantic Aviation in our continued partnership as they ready East 34th Street for quieter and greener helicopter alternatives.”

Archer and Joby claim their offerings will be akin to ground-based rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. Joby, for example, recently unveiled an Uber-like software for pilots and riders, which autonomously assigns users a flight based on their desired origin, destination, and departure time. Through an integration, Joby riders will be able to book rides on the Uber platform and vice versa.

The companies also claim their services will be cost competitive with existing rideshare platforms. Both firms have appointed veterans of Uber Elevate—which ran the short-lived UberCopter service—to their leadership teams, which could help them learn from the failed service’s missteps.

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The post Atlantic Aviation Preparing Manhattan Heliport for Electric Air Taxis appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

United Airlines (NYSE: UAL) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) are banking on it, announcing the route as the latest addition to its list of airport-to-city center air taxi routes proposed to use the Midnight aircraft in development.

• READ MORE: Archer Aviation Reveals Midnight Production eVTOL

Archer unveiled its Midnight eVTOL production aircraft in November and said it is designed to complete two short, consecutive flights of around 20 sm, followed by charging sessions of about 10 minutes. 

The route to Vertiport Chicago, the largest vertical aircraft takeoff and landing facility in North America, will begin in 2025, Archer said.

“Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States, a center for business, innovation and investment, and home to United’s headquarters,” Archer said. “This makes it a unique city for Archer and United to build out.”

Late last year, the two companies announced plans to establish the first airport-to-city-center route using Archer’s all-electric Midnight air taxi between Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) to the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in New York (KJRB). At the time, Archer said the route plan marked the first time an eVTOL company has named a specific route it plans to serve.

• READ MORE: Archer eVTOL Production to Get Lift from Carmaker Stellantis

And like the New York route, the Chicago service would have an eye on expansion. Initial routes will focus on “trunk routes” between the airport and the city center, with “branch” routes to surrounding communities following as a next step.

“Both Archer and United are committed to decarbonizing air travel and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver on the promise of the electrification of the aviation industry,” Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures, said in a statement. “Once operational, we’re excited to offer our customers a more sustainable, convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation during their commutes to the airport.” 

The post Archer, United Plan eVTOL Air Taxi Route in Chicago appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Monacair SAM, Héli Sécurité, and another unnamed helicopter operator in the South of France will be added to Blade’s growing international operations.

“These three acquisitions are core to our strategy of leveraging our asset-light model to aggregate the premier use cases for urban air mobility,” Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal said in a statement. “As a result, Blade has now amassed what we believe to be the most valuable routes in the world. 

“Adding this formidable presence in Europe to our existing operations across the greater New York area, Vancouver, and India, is a critical step in our expansion.”

As part of the acquisition, Blade will invite Monacair’s CEO, Damien Mazaudier, to assist the transition of the air carrier’s passenger services to Blade’s European division.

• READ MORE: Blade Partners with Helijet’s Booking Platform to Expand Service in Canada

“Blade’s powerful global platform, technology, and brand, together with Monacair’s strong operating history, aircraft management business, strategic infrastructure, and customer trust is an unbeatable combination that will amplify urban air mobility in Europe,” Monacair co-founder Marco Casiraghi said in a statement. “On behalf of the Casiraghi family, we fully support and look forward to the European launch of Blade’s commercial services commencing this month with the Monaco Grand Prix [scheduled for May 29].”

According to Blade, the companies have entered into an agreement, with the transaction expected to close by this summer. Blade reports the total value of the sales to be $50 million.

“These acquisitions should contribute free cash flow on day one, accelerating our timeline to profitability while generating a great return on investment today that will only be enhanced by the future introduction of electric vertical aircraft,” Blade CFO Will Heyburn said in a statement. “Blade will now have unmatched scale in European urban air mobility, further diversifying our overall business.”

Blade says it will create branded passenger terminals at more than 10 airports, heliports, and vertiports across Europe. The company plans to commence operations ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, offering seven-minute flights between Nice, France, and Monte Carlo, Monaco, for $220 per seat.

The post Blade to Become Largest Helicopter Passenger Service in Europe appeared first on FLYING Magazine.