Eve and Yugo sign deal to explore UAM potential in Southeast Asia

Eve and Singapore-based aviation company Yugo Global have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the potential for urban eVTOL operations in Southeast Asia.

Announced in time for the Singapore Air Show, the deal forms part of Hugo’s mission to support innovation in regional air mobility. It already works with operators such as PhilJets and Helistar in the Asian region.

Eve and Yugo will focus on the potential infrastructure requirements to support eVTOL operations, and analyse service centre and vertiport size and capabilities, ground handling and other areas as needed.

“We strongly believe that Southeast Asian economies will greatly contribute to the development of the eVTOL and UAM industry,” said Thierry Tea chairman of Yugo. “Our collaboration with Eve will offer valuable insights into the essential requirements for regional air mobility development.”

This is not the first deal Eve has made in Asia, others include an agreement with Falcon Jet to explore similar operations in Dubai. 

“We are looking forward to collaboratively working with Yugo to study and help define the UAM ecosystem in Singapore and Southeast Asia,” said Johann Bordais CEO of Eve. “Our goal is to also understand and define a business model that not only enables eVTOL flights in the region, but also advances the overall mobility ecosystem.”

Southeast Asia’s aviation infrastructure is rapidly advancing, according to Yugo. The Philippines is constructing the New Manila International Airport by San Miguel Corporation, while OCIC Group is building Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Techo International Airport (TIA), set to open in 2025. Both developments are looking at introducing charging stations and flight routes for electric aircraft.

Debuting its full-scale cabin mockup at the Singapore Airshow, the display comes as part of a world tour that began in 2022 at the Farnborough Airshow. The firm has begun construction of its full-scale prototype and is on schedule to begin testing the prototype in 2024. The eVTOL features eight lift rotors and one push rotor for cruise, it has a range of 100km (60 miles) and travels at speeds of 100 knots. The aircraft is scheduled to enter service in 2026.

Bordais added: “These types of collaborations and agreements are a critical first step toward pursuing eVTOL flights. We are looking forward to working with Yugo and other key stakeholders as we begin this project.”