Insider

Embraer’s Eve signs to expand operations around South America

Embraer Eve eVTOL operations
Image: Eve/Embraer

Eve, a spin-off startup of Brazilian planemaker Embraer focused on developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, signed a letter of intent with the startup FlyBIS, from Rio Grande do Sul state, for cooperation in the development of mobility operations in Brazil and South America. 

The agreement provides for the purchase of up to 40 Eve eVTOLs by the company. The southern startup is backed by Brave Aviation, whose current fleet includes Embraer’s Phenom 100 executive jet and other aircraft.

Gustavo Zanettini, co-founder and CEO of FlyBIS, said the team is highly motivated and working to change urban air mobility for future generations, “providing a more accessible and cleaner experience.”

After starting operations in Brazil’s southern states, FlyBIS plans to expand to neighboring countries in South America and contribute to the implementation and development of Eve’s air mobility ecosystem. 

“This region has several high-traffic tourist areas that will benefit from eVTOLs, reinforcing our commitment to fostering the urban air mobility market in different regions around the world,” said company CEO André Stein.

FlyBIS’s order was included in Eve’s current backlog of up to 2,770 eVTOL models, which has around 20 customers throughout the globe and should start operating in 2026, said Mr. Stein at an event from Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES). 

In February, the number of queued orders was 1,735. That represents an increase of nearly 60 percent in ten months. Each of Eve’s flying cars costs about USD 3 million. The company’s current portfolio is at USD 8 billion, according to Mr. Stein.