THE CityAirbus NextGenan electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aerial vehicle, recently completed its first test flight in Donauwörth, Germany. This milestone moment took place around November 6, 2024, under the watchful eye of Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, who shared this progress on X. He expressed his gratitude to the Airbus teams who helped make this flight possible, as part of Airbus’ mission in advanced air mobility.

An innovative prototype

Before Bruno Even’s announcement, Airbus had already presented the prototype of the CityAirbus NextGenwhich was introduced in March 2024. This fully electric eVTOL is distinguished by:

• A wingspan of approximately 12 meters
• Fixed wings
• A V-shaped tail
• Eight electric propellers power the aircraft using a distributed propulsion system

This aerial vehicle is designed to travel up to 80 kilometers with a cruising speed of 120 km/h, making it suitable for operations in large cities, beyond simple commercial and private flights.

Crucial tests in Donauwörth

The test site is established at the Airbus center in Donauwörth, which was inaugurated at the same time as the eVTOL prototype. This center began operations in December 2023 and will be used for the remaining evaluations necessary for the prototype. Tests include:

• Electric motors and their eight rotors
• Flight control systems
• Avionics systems

These tests are essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the device before its commercial deployment.

An initiative for the future of air mobility

THE CityAirbus NextGen is part of the objectives of the Airbus Air Mobility Initiative. In Germany, the company runs several research projects focused on three main areas:

• eVTOLs
• Urban air traffic management (UTM) services
• The integration of airports and cities, including vertiports

The first test flight of the prototype confirms Airbus’ commitment to progressing this initiative, demonstrating that they are on the right path to offering additional flight services to cities and communities. Among the applications envisaged, we find:

• Medical services
• Shuttle services
• Ecological tourism

Conclusion

THE CityAirbus NextGen represents a major step forward towards a new era of urban air transport. With its innovative features and rigorous testing, Airbus is positioning itself as a leader in the field of advanced air mobility. This prototype could transform the way we move around cities, making air transport more accessible and sustainable.