AirAsia to launch air taxi services in Southeast Asia

MANILA, Philippines — AirAsia Aviation Group is gearing up to introduce air taxi services in key markets in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, in partnership with Dublin-based aircraft leasing company Avolon.

AirAsia and Avolon have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding wherein the low-cost carrier will lease a minimum of 100 VX4 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The eVTOL aircraft will allow AirAsia to further revolutionize air travel by providing advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers.

Avolon, through its investment and innovation affiliate Avolon-e, and AirAsia intend to commercialize zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft and develop an industry leading urban air mobility platform in Southeast Asia.

AirAsia will also leverage its successful travel and lifestyle mobile app to help support and build an eVTOL ride sharing platform with Avolon.

AirAsia Philippines said the eVTOL ride sharing service will be available in all key markets of the AirAsia Aviation Group, including the Philippines, to revolutionize air travel.

“I am truly excited about this partnership between Avolon and AirAsia and the potential for zero-emissions ultra-short-haul air travel in Southeast Asia,” Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes said.

“The digital era is now. In the VX4, we have identified what we believe will be the eVTOL aircraft of choice and we are thrilled to be the launch airline for the aircraft in Southeast Asia. We are also delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with Avolon, which has a proven track record of delivering for its customers and is in sync with our goal to become the leading one stop travel and delivery platform in Asean,” he said.

According to Fernandes, using technology to look at more efficient and sustainable ways of doing things is a core focus across Capital A, formerly AirAsia Group.

He said AirAsia is now much more than just an airline, with over 20 products and services on its super app leveraging off each other, including flights, hotels, food, retail, delivery, ride hailing and more.

The VX4 eVTOL is a four passenger, one pilot aircraft which is projected to have speeds up to 200 mph, a range over 100 miles, near silent when in flight, zero operating emissions and low cost per passenger mile.

“We look forward to working with Tony, and the AirAsia team, on their eVTOL journey. 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,” Avolon CEO Dómhnal Slattery said.