Dubai-based Air Chateau signs eVTOL deal with Spain’s Crisalion

Dubai-based private aviation operator Air Chateau announced a partnership with Crisalion Mobility, a European manufacturer of electric mobility solutions, to support the development of electric air taxi services in the UAE.

Air Chateau signed a pre-order for ten Integrity electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOLs) vehicles. The deal was announced during the ongoing Farnborough Airshow where both companies made their debuts.

The new order by Air Chateau expands Crisalion’s conditional pre-order book to 125 eVTOL aircraft. It also represents the company’s first commercial partnership in both the private aviation market and the Middle East.

In support of the UAE’s strategic mobility plans, Crisalion and Air Chateau will work closely together on a growth plan for electric air taxi services in major cities, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, noted the European manufacturer in the official statement.

Eager to embrace advanced air mobility, the demographics of the region represent fertile ground for the proliferation of eVTOLs, noted Air Chateau.

Crisalion Mobility’s Integrity eVTOL, currently under development, is designed to accommodate up to five passengers and a pilot. Its characteristics make it suitable for urban and intercity passenger and cargo transport.

Designed with FlyFree technology, the aircraft guarantees the safety at all stages of flight, delivering an optimal travel experience while minimising emissions, notes the eVTOL manufacturer.

Crisalion Mobility general manager Manuel Heredia said, “This partnership opens not only the door to a strategic region for Crisalion, but will also form part of Air Chateau’s approach to providing sustainable air travel services to its customers.”

Gulf Business spoke to the co-founders of Air Chateau, Dr Samir Mohamed and Shilton Tony Irudayaraj, to understand the firm’s aviation ambitions as it seeks to combine its offerings of helicopters as well as eVTOLs in the future.

Air Chateau, a Dubai-based helicopter charter firm, is not just another player in the aviation industry, notes Irudayaraj, who also serves as the CEO of Air Chateau. Strategically located adjacent to the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport, Air Chateau aims to redefine luxury and efficiency in air travel in the UAE, he adds.

Certified by the General Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE, the company operates out of its Dubai Helipark location in Dubai South, aiming to establish a sophisticated ecosystem for air mobility in the emirate.

Founded with a vision to integrate advanced air mobility into the UAE’s infrastructure, Air Chateau currently operates a fleet of four Airbus H125 helicopters, the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopters renowned for their performance and reliability. However, the company has its sights set on a mixed fleet of helicopters and eVTOL aircraft by 2026.

Speaking to Gulf Business, Dr Samir Mohamed, founder and chairman of Air Chateau, highlighted the company’s unique position in the market. “Today, we have the largest land-side facility and a land-side helicopter ecosystem in Dubai, along with being licensed to operate a heliport,” he said.

“As a vision and a concept, we’ve been very focused and working on this for a while. We’ve had a lot of support from the emirate’s leadership and officials at Dubai South, based on which we were able to make this into a reality.”

The journey to realising this vision began in 2020, with the official launch of the facility in late 2021, attended by esteemed guests including Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports. The strategic proximity of the heliport to the airport, just a few meters away, positions Air Chateau to tap into the burgeoning market of high-end customers using Al Maktoum Airport’s private jet facilities, notes Irudayaraj.

In 2023, the airport witnessed approximately 17,500 private jet movements, underlining the potential for Air Chateau’s services, he adds.

“Our primary business goal is to cater to these high-end customers who are coming into Dubai or travelling in and out of Dubai, providing them with uber luxury last-mile connectivity,” said Dr Mohamed. “There are many high net worth individuals (HNIs) who want quick point-to-point transfers. The mode of transportation we offer is not only faster but also luxurious.”

Beyond serving HNIs, Air Chateau’s services are designed for corporate clients and luxury tourists. “Many corporate companies fly into Dubai on private jets for quick meetings within the emirates. Our service helps them get around as soon as possible,” he explained. The company is also working closely with developers, property owners, and various ministries to expand its services and make significant announcements in the near future.

Recognising the importance of time and convenience, Air Chateau’s business model is a pioneering concept in the UAE. “With all the traffic and congestion, we realised that we have to make this happen. Time is of value, and we wanted to make people’s lives easier,” said Dr Mohammed.

In terms of operations, Air Chateau has ambitious projections.

With a fleet currently comprising four helicopters, and plans to add four more in the coming months, the company said. “We are looking at operating a bigger fleet of helicopters, targeting 2,500 to 3,500 flying hours annually,” Irudayaraj said.

To support its ambitious plans, Air Chateau is heavily investing in infrastructure. The company’s facility includes the first land-side hangar for helicopters in the UAE, capable of accommodating between eight to twelve helicopters depending on size and maintenance needs. “We have a permit for fuelling operations here,” he highlighted. “We are also coming up with additional infrastructure developments within the ecosystem to better service our clients.”

However, along with the focus on its chopper fleet expansion, Air Chateau is also building up to being among the first to deploy advanced air mobility solutions in the country. The Air Chateau team expects to receive its eVTOL starting mid-2025 or 2026, depending on government regulations, the CEO adds.

Dr Mohamed is emphatic that the future of air mobility lies in advanced air mobility solutions. Air Chateau made headlines during the 2023 Dubai Air Show with its commitment to the eVTOL sector. The company plans to invest Dhs100m ($27.2m) over the next three years to develop its infrastructure which includes supporting the eVTOL ecosystem in the UAE, he adds.

This investment will encompass verti-ports, additional hangars, a training academy for pilots and engineers, MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) services, and luxury lounges. “We are looking at setting up an ATO (Approved Training Organisation) for pilot training and an academy for engineers to provide hands-on experience at our hangar and MRO services,” Irudayaraj said.

Simultaneously, a crucial part of Air Chateau’s vision is building a network of helipads across the UAE. “We are looking at establishing a 30-helipad network over the next two to three years, with six to eight critical locations this year,” Dr Mohamed explained. This network will support both helicopters and eVTOLs, providing seamless air mobility solutions.

He adds “while helicopters will continue to operate certain segments of the business, eVTOLs will only complement what we’re doing right now. It will add another layer of transportation and connectivity. As a business, we’ll have to assess in terms of the utilisation of each of these assets. Like the heavy lifting could be done by the helicopters and the eVTOLs will be for local transport. Each will serve a certain need without cannibalising the other.”

While competition in the region is inevitable, Air Chateau is prepared to meet it head-on.

The company is open to expansion opportunities within the GCC and beyond, but its immediate focus is on establishing a successful model in the UAE. “We are future-ready,” Dr Mohamed emphasised. “We want to establish this network, start operating our helicopters, and provide services to customers to get this experience done.”

“We want to set a good example and maintain the high standards associated with Dubai,” he added. “Our aim is to make air mobility accessible and efficient, providing a service that is unmatched in terms of luxury and convenience.”

He concludes, “Our shared vision of transforming advanced air mobility aligns perfectly with the needs of modern transportation in the urban and suburban settings.”

“Through this partnership, we will not only enhance connectivity but also contribute to alleviating the burden on legacy ground infrastructure, complement existing transportation networks, reduce congestion and to build a sustainable future.”

Read: EVTOLs most disruptive aviation tech in over 50 years: Crysalion