The two companies will form a working group that will evaluate the possibility of commercializing zero-emission flights in Greenland. In addition, they will collaborate on identifying local infrastructure suitable for the operation of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and the requirements for their certification.
As part of the agreement, Air Greenland will commit to purchase or lease from Avolon a fleet of VX4 eVTOL aircraft, manufactured by Vertical Aerospace. The size of the order will be defined upon completion of the market opportunity assessment.
Dómhnal Slattery, CEO of Avolon, commented: «Since our initial order, we have seen airlines around the world commit to zero-emission travel. They are selecting the VX4 aircraft as the first step in their decarbonization journey». The executive assured that the company is «taking zero-emission travel to the places where climate change is having its most pronounced impact».
Jacob Nitter Sørensen, CEO of Air Greenland, said the agreement marks the beginning of a long-term «sustainability journey». «In Greenland, we see the effects of climate change every day. Therefore as a company, we want to be at the forefront of the climate revolution», he said.
For his part, Vertical Aerospace CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick commented that the partnership is «an important first step in introducing sustainable air mobility to Greenland».
Other orders:
In June 2021, Avolon formalized an order for 500 VX4 eVTOLs from Vertical Aerospace for a total of $2 billion. Since then, it has closed deals for 250 aircraft with Gol and Grupo Comporte, as well as up to 100 units with Japan Airlines, and another 100 for AirAsia.
According to the manufacturer, the VX4 will operate without emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and will be considerably quieter than a conventional helicopter. It will carry up to four passengers and have a range of more than 160 kilometers.
See also: GlobalX signs letter of intent for 200 eVTOLs with Embraer’s Eve
