Airbus and LCI Forge New Paths in Advanced Air Mobility
In a significant move to shape the future of aviation, Airbus, the global aerospace titan, has partnered with LCI, an innovative leader in aviation financing and leasing, to develop ecosystems for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). This collaboration marks a pivotal moment, focusing on the integration of strategy, commercialization, and financing within three key AAM domains.
At the heart of this partnership is the shared vision of Balkiz Sarihan, CEO and Head of Urban Air Mobility at Airbus, and Jaspal Jandu, CEO of LCI. Sarihan highlights the synergy between Airbus' technical prowess in flight technologies and LCI's operational expertise, customer networks, and financial acumen. This blend of strengths is poised to drive forward the development of next-generation AAM ecosystems and support Airbus' decarbonization initiatives.
Jandu's enthusiasm mirrors Sarihan's, emphasizing the evolution of their two-decade-long partnership from delivering capacity and financing solutions to embarking on this new AAM venture. He notes the imperative for transportation and logistical networks to embrace efficiency, sustainability, and scalability, framing the collaboration as a holistic approach to redefining aviation through vehicles, infrastructure, financing, and network adoption.
Together, Airbus and LCI will dive into market analysis, industry research, and data analytics to unearth new applications and missions for AAM. Their joint effort will support the creation of innovative AAM solutions and evaluate new commercial frameworks, including fleet management, battery technology, and charging networks.
Highlighting the partnership's strategic depth, LCI will play a crucial financial role in Airbus' AAM projects, especially in mission-critical services like emergency medical responses. By leveraging its extensive network, LCI aims to facilitate the global adoption and acceptance of AAM solutions. Furthermore, the collaboration will explore inventive leasing and financial models for CityAirbus NextGen, Airbus' next-generation urban air mobility solution.
With Airbus having completed the assembly of CityAirbus NextGen and initiated its test campaign in Donauwörth, Germany, the partnership is timely. This move underscores Airbus' commitment to expanding its global network and partnerships, setting the stage for a thriving and sustainable AAM market. The Airbus-LCI alliance not only highlights the fusion of innovation and expertise but also paves the way for a greener, more connected world through advanced air mobility.