United makes $15m investment in Eve, orders 200 aircraft

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United Airlines has ventured further into the AAM sector with a $15m investment in Eve Air Mobility and a conditional order for 200 eVTOLs (plus an option for 200 more).

Investment was driven in part by Eve’s unique relationship with Embraer which includes access to the OEM’s service centres, parts warehouses and field service technicians, United said. Upon entry into service, the airline’s entire eVTOL fleet could be serviced by Eve. Also, under the terms of the agreement, the firms will conduct studies on the development, use and application of Eve’s aircraft and the UAM ecosystem.

Michael Leskinen, president, United Airlines Ventures said: “Today, United is making history again, by becoming the first major airline to publicly invest in two eVTOL companies. Our agreement with Eve highlights our confidence in the urban air mobility market and serves as another important benchmark toward our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 – without using traditional offsets.”

United was the first major US airline to create a corporate venture fund, United Airlines Ventures. Through it, United has invested in eVTOL and electric aircraft, hydrogen fuel cell engines, and sustainable aviation fuel. Last month, United gave a $10m deposit to a California-based Archer for 100 aircraft.

Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve said: “I am confident that our UAM agnostic solutions, coupled with the global know-how we have been developing at Eve and Embraer’s heritage, are the best fit for this initiative, giving United’s customers a quick, economical and sustainable way to get to its hub airports and commute in dense urban environments.”

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