AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur International) parent firm AirAsia Aviation Group has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Avolon for at least 100 VX4 eVTOL (electric take-off and landing) aircraft, becoming the first Southeast Asian operator of the type.

"Together we will develop a ride-sharing platform and bring the zero-emissions VX4 aircraft into service, positioning AirAsia as the operator of choice for sustainable air travel in the region,” commented Avolon Chief Executive Officer Dómhnal Slattery.

AirAsia and Avolon will form a working group to pursue local certification, research potential market opportunities and infrastructure requirements for Urban Air Mobility (UAM), the companies announced in a joint statement at the Singapore Air Show on February 16. AirAsia would leverage its mobile app, the AirAsia Super App, to help support and build the eVTOL ride-sharing platform with Avolon.

In addition to the eVTOL aircraft, Avolon, through its investment and innovation affiliate Avolon-e, will partner with AirAsia to commercialise zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft and develop an industry-leading UAM platform in Southeast Asia.

Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A (formerly AirAsia Group) told Reuters that flights would start by 2025, with regulators in Malaysia and Singapore likely to approve operations far more quickly than in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

He said the air ridesharing services would be bookable through AirAsia's mobile app and offered at an accessible price point, just as the budget carrier had done for its regular flights.

The undertaking from AirAsia means Avolon has now placed up to 90% of its initial order book for VX4 aircraft, underlining demand for the type from leading airlines.

In June 2021, Avolon pre-ordered 500 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Vertical Aerospace valued at USD2 billion to place with its global airline customers. Avolon has also placed 250 VX4 aircraft with GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (G3, São Paulo Congonhas) and Grupo Comporte in Brazil, and up to 100 aircraft with JAL - Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo Haneda).

According to Vertical Aerospace, the VX4 is a piloted, four-passenger, zero operating emissions electric aircraft that is projected to fly at speeds of up to 321 km/h, over a 160km range. The VX4 is expected to be near-silent when in flight.

Vertical Aerospace has agreed on pre-orders or pre-order options with the likes of American Airlines, Avolon, Virgin Atlantic, Iberojet (Spain), Bristow Group, and Japan's Marubeni Aerospace, resulting in a pre-order book totalling 1,350 aircraft valued at USD5.4 billion.