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Nice Côte d’Azur Airport prepares for the arrival of electric air taxis with Joby Aviation, Blade, Heli Sécurité and Monacair

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport and its partners Blade, Heli Sécurité and Monacair unveiled the full-scale model of the Joby Aviation electric air taxi on 1 July 2026. Together, they form a unique alliance to prepare for the first commercial eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) flights in Europe.
Thanks to its exceptional seafront location, which allows flight paths that avoid populated areas, the airport is a natural candidate to host one of the first commercial eVTOL services in Europe.
Once certified by European and French authorities, the Joby electric air taxi will offer quiet, zero-direct-emission air mobility.

A testing ground for the airport of tomorrow

As a testing ground for the airport of tomorrow, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is anticipating and supporting the imminent arrival of a new form of air mobility, one that is low-carbon and low-noise.

The passenger helicopter transport market has been firmly established on the French Riviera for more than fifty years. It serves the mobility needs of an international clientele while providing fast access to iconic destinations such as Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez. This proven experience in on-demand air travel makes the region a fertile ground for the arrival of eVTOLs.

Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, said: “As a testing ground for the airport of tomorrow, we support every innovation that helps maintain the region’s attractiveness and connectivity while reducing CO2 emissions and the noise generated by air traffic. We would be especially proud for Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to be among the first in Europe to host eVTOLs in commercial operation.”

An alliance serving the air mobility of tomorrow

This ambition rests on close collaboration between Blade, Heli Sécurité and Monacair, three complementary players committed to developing tomorrow’s air mobility on the French Riviera.

Heli Sécurité currently operates commercial links in France, notably between Nice and Monaco, drawing on its operational expertise in running scheduled services. Monacair, the long-standing operator of the Principality, brings its recognised know-how in the Monegasque market and its experience in premium air transport. Blade, the air mobility brand of the Joby Aviation group, is supporting the commercial and operational development of the future eVTOL service. With its expertise in on-demand air mobility services, Blade forms the link between today’s operations and the gradual rollout of the electric air taxis developed by Joby.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, said: “Electric aviation has the potential to profoundly transform the way we travel, making air transport cleaner, quieter and more accessible. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is setting an example in preparing airports for this new era of aviation, and we are proud to give the public the opportunity to discover our aircraft.”

By combining their expertise, Blade, Heli Sécurité and Monacair are laying the groundwork today for the integration of the first commercial eVTOL services on the French Riviera, building on an existing network, proven operational experience and a shared vision of more sustainable aviation.

Source: Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur