Voom, a global premier on-demand helicopter booking platform, is now joining Airbus Helicopters as part of the company’s strategy to provide new urban mobility solutions for commuters.

Initially incubated in A^3, Airbus’ Silicon Valley outpost, Voom launched commercial operations in April 2017 in Sao Paulo, flying thousands of passengers over the last ten months, and plans to expand its presence this year.

“Urban transportation on and below ground is reaching its limits, and naturally Airbus is looking to the skies to redefine a third axis for public transportation solutions,” said Matthieu Louvot, Airbus Helicopters executive vice-president Customer Support and Services.

“Voom will allow us to grow the usage of existing helicopters for the benefit of urban citizens and operators. With Voom we will also explore and develop new business models in order to support our innovation roadmap.”

Voom is building the future of urban air mobility today by making helicopter transportation accessible and affordable to urban commuters. The platform connects travellers with trusted and licensed helicopter operator partners, providing a new escape to urban congestion by taking to the skies. Voom air taxi flights can be booked on their website in as little as 60 minutes in advance.

“We are thrilled to join Airbus Helicopters to build the urban air mobility experience around the world,” said Voom CEO Uma Subramanian. “Our services provide convenient, reliable and affordable air transit to urban areas that so desperately need an alternative to traditional ground transportation. Following our launch in Brazil, we are expanding into additional cities, beginning with Mexico City early this year.”

As part of its bold vision for the future of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) systems, Airbus is exploring a range of breakthrough urban mobility solutions.

This includes on-demand helicopter rides for events; the four passenger, self-piloted CityAirbus eVTOL demonstrator; the single passenger, self-piloted Vahana eVTOL aircraft by A^3; the Altiscope project by A^3 helping to shape future regulations and air traffic control requirements to safely integrate eVTOL aircraft in urban skies; autonomous urban parcel delivery by drones through the Skyways project; and finally the Racer high-speed demonstrator, which aims to connect the heart of distant cities. – TradeArabia News Service