• TECH-SHARK_EXTERIOR_004
    Embraer
    Stock Code:
    ERJ
    Date Founded:
    1969-08-19
    CEO:
    Francisco Gomes Neto
    Headquarters Location:
    Sao Paulo, Brazil
    Key Product Lines:
    Embraer 170, Embraer 175, Embraer 190, Embraer 195, Embraer 175-E2, Embraer 190-E2, Embraer 195-E2
    Business Type:
    Planemaker

UAE-based luxury charter specialist Falcon Aviation Services has taken an exciting step forward in terms of its future urban mobility plans. Specifically, in a statement released today, it has been confirmed that Falcon has signed a letter of intent for up to 35 Embraer EVE eVTOL air taxis, with deliveries beginning in four years.

Offering something new for tourists

Falcon Aviation isn't the only company to have put its interest in the EVE in writing. Indeed, Simple Flying reported in March that Global Crossing Airlines had ordered 200 of these air taxis to develop urban mobility in southern Florida. However, Falcon has a slightly different approach planned in terms of deploying the EVE.

Specifically, the operator's partnership with EVE will allow it, as explained in today's statement, to "introduce the first eVTOL touristic flights from the Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai." With Dubai being a popular luxury tourist destination, the chance to see it from above in an air taxi will surely go down well. Captain Ramandeep Oberoi, who serves as Falcon's Chief Operating Officer, stated that:

"We are ecstatic to partner with Eve and be the first operator of eVTOL in Dubai & the MENA region. The launch of this concept fully aligns with the Smart Dubai vision and will contribute to positioning Dubai as a global leader in sustainable Urban Air Mobility transportation."

Global-X eVTOL over Miami
Falcon Aviation's letter of intent follows a similar move by Global Crossing Airlines earlier this year. Photo: Embraer

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A new region for EVE

In recent times, EVE, which operates as a subsidiary of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, has been the subject of interest from prospective eVTOL operators in various different parts of the world. However, until now, as Captain Oberoi alludes to, it was yet to penetrate the Middle East and North Africa market.

The interest from Falcon, or at least another similarly-positioned operator, was perhaps inevitable. After all, Dubai (and indeed the UAE and the Middle East as a whole) has become a key center for aviation in recent decades, being home to some of the world's most important hub airports and most highly-revered airlines. Regarding the partnership, EVE co-CEO Andre Stein stated that:

"We are thrilled about partnering with Falcon and having the immense opportunity to enable the future urban mobility in the United Arab Emirates and launch eVTOL flights in Dubai. This is a massive challenge for both companies, which will help to position Dubai as a leader in the urban air mobility market. Eve’s global experience, which spans different regions across the globe, will surely benefit the achievement of this project."

Falcon Aviation Dash 8
Falcon Aviation Services' present fleet includes three Dash 8-Q400 turboprops. Photo: Alan Wilson via Flickr

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Falcon Aviation Services - a brief guide

So, who exactly is EVE's latest customer? Based at Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI), and also flying out of Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), Falcon provides charter services from the UAE to the likes of France and the Maldives. Interestingly, as well as luxurious business jets, data from ch-aviation.com shows that it also has three Dash 8-Q400 turboprops in its current fleet.

What do you make of this new development in urban mobility? Would you like to travel on one of Falcon Aviation Services' Embraer EVE eVTOL air taxis? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!