Kenya Airways, Embraer, team up to bring urban air taxis to East Africa

August 12, 2021 in Business, Companies, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Brazilian aerospace company Embraer and flag-carrier Kenya Airways have announced a partnership that will see the introduction of air taxis into East Africa’s urban space.

Through their subsidiaries Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions for Embraer, and Fahari Aviation for Kenya Airways, the duo on August 11, signed an MoU through which they will collaborate on the development of operational models for the democratisation of Urban Air Mobility in the region.

According to Kenya Airways “this partnership will establish the co-creation of a foundation of concepts and procedures to safely scale electric vertical aircraft (EVA) throughout the country in the coming years.

Eve will bring to Fahari Aviation, the Unmanned aircraft systems division of Kenya Airways the knowhow to support the safe establishment and secure use of urban air mobility in the region, and collaborate on the requisite Urban Air Traffic Management operating environment.

This partnership will also allow Fahari Aviation to support Eve’s aircraft and product development process which will help guide the integration of UAM with Kenya Airways’ overall operations,” says Kenya Airways.

Eve says its fully electric low noise signature and zero emissions aircraft, which seeks to sharply cut road travel time, is designed to be user friendly and accessible to all.

“We are thrilled to partner with Kenya Airways to provide new forms of air mobility throughout the region for both people and goods. The creation of disruptive and widely accessible Urban Air Mobility solutions will help democratize mobility by making it more accessible, affordable and giving communities more options.

With our aircraft and aerospace services backing and Kenya Airways’ innovative approach to air mobility, we are enthusiastic about opening this region to more sustainable and community-friendly air access for all,” said Eve’s President and chief executive Andre Stein.

Allan Kilavuka, Group Managing Director and chief executive at Kenya Airways says ” innovation is a critical element of our long-term sustainability,” and Fahari Aviation “is at the forefront of exploring advanced technologies, with a key focus in aviation, starting with drone technology. With this partnership, we look to develop innovative air mobility solutions for our clients in Kenya and throughout the region.”