Moorabbin-based helicopter operator Microflite has ordered up to 40 Eve eVTOL aircraft, Eve's parent company Embraer announced yesterday.
The first of the eVTOLs is expected to enter service over Melbourne in 2026.
Microflite CEO Jonathan Booth said the order was an extension of a development agreement signed with Eve in September last year.
“This order builds on the successful partnership we have established with Eve and validates the exciting potential of zero-emission aircraft in Australia," he said. "After working closely with Eve over the past few months, we have identified a network of potential routes and we look forward to working with commercial partners and communities to prioritise these routes and trial selected operations with our existing fleet."
“Our partnership with Microflite will see progressive commencement of carbon-neutral operations in the lead-up to first deliveries of zero-emission aircraft in 2026," said Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve.
"We look forward to learning together and building safe and scalable operations with the support of local communities."
The order announcement follows commitments late last year by Sydney Seaplanes and Queensland's Nautilus Aviation to develop eVTOL operations using Eve aircraft.