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Air Asia Shows-Off UAM Ambitions

Our Bureau - : May 24, 2023 - : 4:21 am

Air Asia is showcasing its future plans in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 electric aircraft. On display at the show is a model of a VX4 in Air Asia, with a concept vertiport. A company official told Daily News that Air Asia was studying opportunities that could arise from the need to transport passengers who need to get to the airport, though much work yet needed to be done with regards to setting up the infrastructure for such operations. Air Asia had announced an order with aircraft lessor Avolon in February 2022 for the lease of a minimum of 100 VX4s. Vertical’s VX4 prototype has successfully undertaken piloted flight tests and it is now in the next stages of the flight test programme, which is expected to reach higher altitudes and speeds, as well as demonstrating the transition from vertical to horizontal flight. Avolon, the world’s second largest aircraft lessor, had pre-ordered 500 VX4s from Vertical in June 2021 to place with its global airline customers. Vertical’s VX4 eVTOL is projected to be capable of transporting a pilot and up to four passengers, traveling distances of up to 100 miles, and achieving a cruise speed of 150 miles per hour, while producing minimal noise and zero operating emissions. The VX4 is expected to be near silent when in flight, and with a low cost per passenger mile, it will be an affordable option for passengers with a cost at a slight premium to a taxi. Vertical’s top-tier partner ecosystem, including Rolls-Royce, Honeywell Aerospace, Leonardo and GKN Aerospace, is expected to de-risk operational execution and its pathway to certification allowing for a lean cost structure and enabling production at scale. Vertical has a leading pre-order book from a diverse global customer base, creating multiple potential near term and actionable routes to market. Customers include airlines, aircraft lessors, helicopter operators and tourism groups, including American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Avolon, Bristow, Marubeni, Iberojet and FLYINGGROUP, as well as Japan Airlines (JAL), Gol, Air Greenland, Gozen Holding and AirAsia, through Avolon’s VX4 placements.

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