Several leading U.S. eVTOL aircraft manufacturers have declared their intentions to participate in the White House’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program since a request for proposals appeared in the Federal Register on September 12. Joby Aviation, Beta Technologies, and Archer Aviation were all quick to announce their participation in the program, which aims to accelerate the deployment of eVTOL operations in the U.S. 

The European Union’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking has awarded €945 million ($1.1 billion) in government funding to 12 projects aimed at decarbonizing commercial air travel, the organization announced this week. Award recipients for this third funding round, which followed a call for proposals in February, include several major aerospace manufacturers that are developing novel aircraft and propulsion concepts.

Conscious Aerospace is launching a Series A funding round to advance its plans to convert regional airliners to use its hydrogen-electric propulsion system. Initially, the Dutch start-up’s main focus is on de Havilland Canada’s Dash 8-300 twin turboprop, and it is aiming to have aircraft ready to enter service with early adopter operators by the end of the decade.

Sikorsky has announced a partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to explore the potential of autonomous aerial firefighting. The five-year collaboration will focus on developing and integrating new technologies to enhance the safety and efficiency of the agency’s operations. 

Regional charter platform Flyvbird has launched operations with its first flights carrying passengers in Germany this month between Friedrichshafen and Mönchengladbach airports. The per-seat trip booking service, which provides flights with aircraft operated by partners, is also now offering connections to Strausberg, near Berlin, as well as Hof, Straubing, and Mannheim.

Following Joby Aviation’s acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s charter brokerage last month, the company has announced that customers will be able to book flights on Blade-arranged helicopter and seaplane flights through the Uber mobile app as early as 2026. Joby, which is working to certify a four-passenger eVTOL air taxi, has been collaborating with Uber Technologies since 2019 on plans to integrate urban air mobility services into the popular rideshare app.

Skyports Infrastructure will lead the development of South Korea’s first commercial vertiport network for eVTOL operations on Jeju Island, the London-based vertiport developer announced on September 8. Under a memorandum of understanding with Jeju Island’s local council, the company will plan, build, and operate vertiport facilities where eVTOL air taxis can take off and land. According to Skyports, it has already secured vertiport sites and signed agreements with local landowners.

The coming decade is likely to see announcements of new airplanes from Airbus and Boeing. If Embraer decides to move up into the mainline sector, a new airplane from the Brazilian manufacturer should also be announced in the next few years. This means the clock is ticking toward program launches anywhere between 2027 and 2030, depending on progress from GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce in developing new engines.