A new partnership will see the introduction of zero-emission flights serving some of Western Australia’s most iconic tourism attractions across the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields and Greater Perth regions, with additional locations currently being considered.
Leading WA-based aviation and tourism businesses, Aviair and HeliSpirit, have today announced their partnership with Eve Air Mobility (“Eve”), an Embraer company, that will introduce a fleet of up to 50 new zero-emission electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) with flights commencing as early as 2026.
This is a first for Western Australia and an important milestone for the future of sustainable aviation services within the state.
Eve’s eVTOL aircraft, which can carry up to four passengers, are designed with overhead wings, hosting distributed rotors and rear propellers, offering the convenience of a helicopter with the speed and comfort of a similar sized fixed-wing aeroplane.
Eve’s innovative technology is designed to the highest safety standards and is backed by Embraer’s more than 50-year history of aircraft manufacturing and certification expertise.
Aviair and HeliSpirit carry more than 70,000 guests each year, and being able to provide an emission-free, low-noise solution for both tourism and business travel is an important step forward toward the company’s net-zero emission goals.
Aviair and HeliSpirit Managing Director, Michael McConachy said, “This year marks 20 years of HeliSpirit being eco-accredited as a green travel leader, entering us into the Eco Tourism Australia Hall of Fame, so this is great timing to commit to significantly reducing our carbon footprint by operating zero-emission electric aircraft.”
The new technology will only require a heliport for departures and landings and boasts up to a 90% reduction in noise compared to equivalent helicopter types, providing a number of sustainable benefits for the environments in which the aircraft will operate.
“The low-noise footprint of the aircraft makes them particularly well-suited to operations in sensitive natural settings, including national parks and World Heritage-listed areas, as well as for urban transfers providing quick and efficient solutions for both business and tourism travellers,” Mr McConachy said.
Aviair and HeliSpirit acknowledge the importance of supporting advances in low-emission aviation initiatives as part of their key corporate social responsibility goals.
“Eve’s eVTOL technology is well-aligned with our business model and desire to be at the forefront of carbon-neutral solutions for the aviation industry,” Mr McConachy said.
For consumers, this will allow for unrivalled sustainable tourism experiences at locations including Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle), Mitchell River National Park and as far south as the coast of Esperance and famed pink Lake Hillier.
Western Australian Tourism Minister, Roger Cook said, “I welcome this environmentally focused partnership to provide zero-emissions flights. This partnership highlights our West Australian tourism businesses that are on the leading edge of providing the sustainable tourism products that international travellers are increasingly expecting.”
Aviair and HeliSpirit are also keen to investigate urban air transfers between the city and various locations around Perth, such as Perth Airport, Rottnest Island and the Swan Valley.
Perth Airport welcomes the announcement that WA operator Aviair / HeliSpirit have partnered with Eve Air Mobility on the development of a new electric air-taxi concept.
“This is an exciting and innovative transport initiative and we look forward to working through the technical and commercial aspects of the concept with Aviair and HeliSpirit,” said Kevin Brown, Chief Executive Officer Perth Airport.
HeliSpirit’s innovation and pursuit of excellence extends back to 1984 when the company became pioneers of scenic flights over the iconic Bungle Bungle. The Group’s continuous development and extensive commitment to the tourism industry has recently been recognised with HeliSpirit receiving the highest accolade in the industry, the Sir David Brand Award for Tourism, at the 2021 Perth Airport Western Australian Tourism Awards.
Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve, said the initiative was a significant milestone for Eve: “Our partnership opens up an important market in Western Australia that will see our aircraft serving Australia's iconic tourist attractions with zero-emission and low-noise flights. We share a common vision of a carbon-neutral future for air mobility, supported by Eve’s eVTOL, comprehensive service and support network and air traffic management solutions."
About Aviair and HeliSpirit
Multi-award winning Aviair and HeliSpirit (part of the HMC Group) have been at the forefront of tourism since 1984 and have become recognised leaders in the industry within Western Australia and beyond.
Owned by Michael McConachy (Managing Director) and Geoff Hamilton, the businesses offer specialist charter, regular public transport (RPT) and tourism services across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia, with head offices located in Kununurra, WA.
With business foundations based around the twin principles of safety and service, the group operate a fleet of more than 50 modern and well-presented aircraft, including a range of high-performance and turbine aircraft types.
Aviair and HeliSpirit are the specialists when it comes to touring the spectacular Kimberley region, including the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park and remote Mitchell Falls located on the north Kimberley Coast.
The business also extends as far south as Esperance in WA, and as far east as Adelaide in South Australia where it provides specialist aviation services to the South Australian Government.
About Eve Air Mobility
Eve is dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem. Benefitting from a startup mindset, backed by Embraer’s more than 50-year history of aerospace expertise, and with a singular focus, Eve is taking a holistic approach to progressing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced eVTOL project, a comprehensive global services and support network and a unique air traffic management solution. For more information, please visit www.eveairmobility.com .
About Embraer
A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales.
Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.
Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.
Forward-Looking Information Is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty
Certain statements in this release may be “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the potential order of up to 50 eVTOLs, the ability of Eve to deliver eVTOL aircraft in 2026, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions about future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guaranteed and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in difficult to predict circumstances. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak only as of the date they are made, and neither party undertakes an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the effect of global economic conditions, the ability of the parties to negotiate and enter into a definitive agreement and realize anticipated synergies, the ability of Eve to obtain the required certifications to manufacture and sell its eVTOL aircraft, and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in the filings of Embraer with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Media contact:
Emma Fehon, Projects Manager – New Developments
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