While most eVTOL aircraft developers have committed to either purely battery-electric or hybrid powertrains, Alaka’i Technologies believes that hydrogen fuel cells offer the best solution for sustainable, emissions-free air transportation. The company is developing a four-passenger, hydrogen-powered eVTOL aircraft called Skai that it says will boast an initial range of 200 miles.

Five months after earning a type certificate in China, EHang said it is close to securing the production certificate it needs to launch high-rate output of its two-seat EH216-S eVTOL aircraft. With 23 early examples delivered during the fourth quarter of 2023, revenues grew to around $16.5 million as the manufacturer shrunk its operating loss to approximately $10.6 million.

Vertical Aerospace is pursuing type certification for the VX4 eVTOL aircraft with disciplined control over spending as it receives new funding it said will cover work through the second quarter of 2025. Around 70 percent of the components for its second prototype are new, with many supplied by key partners such as GKN Aerospace.

Estonia will be home to a new test center for uncrewed aircraft systems through a collaboration between the Estonian Aviation Academy and uncrewed traffic management and operations specialist Anra Technologies. Officials from the Baltic state announced the partnership with the U.S. company during the Airspace World trade show in Geneva on March 19.

Joby Aviation plans to deliver two of its eVTOL aircraft to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, the company announced March 19. MacDill will be the second USAF base to obtain a Joby eVTOL aircraft, following the company’s first-ever delivery to Edwards Air Force Base in California last September. Joby says it intends to ship a second aircraft to Edwards later this year, followed by the two deliveries to MacDill in 2025.

Following its agreement with Lilium, Atlantic Aviation is now partnered with four eVTOL aircraft manufacturers to support operations at its FBOs, also including Joby, Archer, and Beta Technologies.

U.S. private charter operator Bravo Air has agreed to buy up to five of the three-seat SD-05 eVTOL aircraft being developed by Japan’s SkyDrive. The companies signed a letter of intent for the anticipated transaction during an event at Georgia’s Augusta Regional Airport, which is expected to be the base for planned commercial flights with the eVTOLs.

EHang's EH216-S, which for now is the world's only type certificated eVTOL aircraft built for commercial use, has been filmed in Costa Rica where the Chinese manufacturer and local partners demonstrated the autonomous two-seater soaring above the coastal resort at Conchal and its adjoining golf course. So far, the EH216-S is only approved in China and EHang has yet to secure the full production certificate needed for series manufacturing, but this hasn't stopped the company from proactively promoting its aircraft around the globe as it seeks further customers. In Costa Rica, EHang is working with vertiport developer Bluenest, which is part of the Globalvia group.