Helibravo Aviacao is to work with Bluenest by Globalvia on the development, deployment and operation of vertiports and eVTOLs, to allow for the evaluation and validation of the transition from conventional helicopter flights to AAM. The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility, safety and affordability of UAM/AAM projects, including how the traditional heliport infrastructure will evolve into vertiports.

Portugal-based Helibravo Aviacao has experience in certifying and managing heliport infrastructure. It employs a wholly Portuguese workforce of technicians, engineers and pilots and manages its own fleet and operations. Optimising the service to passengers and cargo from vertiports was the key to developing the joint venture project with vertiport infrastructure developer Bluenest, with the objective of testing the first designs and systems developed in a real operational environment to gather relevant data in Portugal as a benchmark, including demo test flights with an eVTOL.

Hence, the aim of this collaboration is to co-develop the first network of vertiports that will launch UAM in key locations in Portugal, for both passengers and goods. Additionally, both companies will explore future commercial operations in vertiports for air shuttle, panoramic tours and emergency services.

"The transition from our current business model with helicopter operations to sustainable mobility and UAM operation of eVTOLs has been our vision as a natural evolution of Helibravo. The strategic collaboration with Bluenest is paramount to ensure our joint mission to populate Portugal with vertiports, ensuring safety, experience and efficiency in the required infrastructure," says CEO João Bravo.

"By joining forces with Helibravo, we are confident that we can accelerate the development of urban air mobility in Portugal. Our partnership will make it easier to overcome challenges and leverage our collective expertise, and we look forward to delivering a new era of mobility to the region," adds Jose Rodriguez, managing director of Bluenest.

Bluenest is a Globalvia Group company developing urban air mobility worldwide. Globalvia manages transport infrastructure concessions and mobility services, and is present across Spain, Portugal, US, Ireland, Costa Rica, Chile, UK, Sweden, Norway and Singapore.

Helibravo Aviacao operates short-distance passenger air transport, with tourist helicopter flights in Lisbon and Porto, as well as in other aerial work operations.

This undertaking will bring significant benefits to both parties to jointly tackle the challenges for urban air mobility to thrive in Portugal, with real projects, tests and joint commercialisation efforts.