As a laboratory for the airport of the future, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is anticipating and supporting the forthcoming arrival of a new form of air mobility that is both low-carbon and low-noise. Together with its partners Blade, Heli Sécurité and Monacair, the airport has formed a unique alliance to prepare for the launch of Europe’s first commercial eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing) operations.

The helicopter passenger transport market has been well established on the French Riviera for more than 50 years. It meets the mobility needs of an international clientèle while providing fast connections to destinations such as Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez. Thanks to its seafront location, which enables flight paths to avoid densely populated areas, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is a natural candidate to host one of Europe’s first commercial eVTOL services. Once certified by the relevant European and French authorities, Joby’s electric air taxi will offer an even quieter alternative with no direct CO₂ emissions, representing a new generation of quiet, zero-emission electric air mobility.

“As a laboratory for the airport of the future, we support innovations that help maintain the attractiveness and connectivity of our region while reducing CO₂ emissions and the noise generated by air traffic,” said Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Board, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur. “We would be particularly proud for Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to become the first airport in Europe to welcome eVTOL operations.”

This ambition is founded on close collaboration between Blade, Heli Sécurité and Monacair, three complementary organisations committed to developing the next generation of air mobility on the French Riviera. Heli Sécurité currently operates commercial helicopter services within France, including the Nice-Monaco route, bringing extensive operational expertise in the delivery of scheduled air services. Monacair, the Principality’s long-established helicopter operator, contributes its expertise in the Monaco market as well as its experience in premium air transport. Blade, Joby Aviation’s air mobility brand, is supporting the commercial and operational development of the future eVTOL offering.

“Electric aviation has the potential to fundamentally transform the way we travel by making air transport cleaner, quieter and more accessible,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO, Joby. “Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is setting a benchmark for how airports can prepare for this new era of aviation, and we are proud to give the public the opportunity to discover our aircraft.”