UK-based manufacturer Vertical Aerospace and Portuguese real estate developer VIC Properties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 27, 2026, to evaluate the integration of electric air mobility services at the 400-hectare Pinheirinho estate in Comporta, Portugal.

The agreement, announced in a joint press release, initiates site and infrastructure planning to establish the luxury resort destination as a test case for regional Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) transport. The partnership aims to connect major transit hubs, such as Lisbon, directly to the coastal estate, which will house the Six Senses Comporta resort.

Infrastructure and resort integration

VIC Properties, which manages €3 billion in assets and was established in 2018, is developing the Pinheirinho estate with a focus on luxury hospitality. The MoU outlines a framework to assess the physical and operational requirements for hosting Vertical Aerospace’s piloted, four-passenger Valo aircraft on the property.

João Cabaça, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of VIC Properties, stated that the estate is being developed to create a new benchmark for luxury hospitality on the Atlantic coast.

“A partnership with Vertical, a recognised pioneer in this emerging sector, is a natural extension of that ambition, as we truly believe that air mobility will shape the experience, the reach and connectivity of next-generation destinations such as Pinheirinho Comporta,” Cabaça said.

Vertical Aerospace expands operational footprint

The Portuguese agreement follows a series of regulatory and developmental milestones for Vertical Aerospace throughout July 2026. The manufacturer recently concluded its participation at the Farnborough International Airshow, where it conducted the first public demonstrations of the Valo eVTOL.

Vertical Aerospace currently holds approximately 1,500 pre-orders for the Valo aircraft across four continents. The company has secured commitments from commercial operators and lessors including American Airlines (AA), Japan Airlines (JL), GOL Linhas Aéreas (G3), Bristow Group, and Avolon.

Recent regulatory and funding milestones

Beyond the MoU with VIC Properties, Vertical Aerospace announced a strategic regulatory collaboration on July 22, 2026, with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to advance certification frameworks. The day prior, the UK government announced a £3.4 million backing for the ECLiPSE programme, led by Vertical Aerospace, to develop next-generation charging and thermal management technologies. The company also joined Honeywell Aerospace’s Project VERTI-GO, an EU-funded initiative focused on safely integrating eVTOL aircraft into European airspace.

Stuart Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of Vertical Aerospace, emphasized the role of the Valo in transforming regional transit for premium markets.

“The most exceptional destinations deserve an equally exceptional way to arrive. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel that is quicker, simpler and more enjoyable. This partnership is about understanding how a new category of air travel can integrate into the future of resort living and luxury hospitality,” Simpson noted.

AirPro News analysis

We view the partnership between Vertical Aerospace and VIC Properties as a strategic alignment of advanced air mobility with high-net-worth consumer markets. By targeting luxury resort destinations like the Pinheirinho estate, eVTOL manufacturers can establish early use cases where the premium cost of early-stage electric air travel aligns with customer expectations and willingness to pay.

Connecting a major international gateway like Lisbon directly to a coastal resort bypasses traditional ground infrastructure bottlenecks, providing a tangible value proposition for the Valo aircraft. Furthermore, Vertical Aerospace’s concurrent push for regulatory alignment in Europe and the Middle East suggests a deliberate strategy to secure operational footholds in regions heavily invested in luxury tourism and next-generation infrastructure.

Sources: Business Wire, Vertical Aerospace

Safran Helicopter Engines and AURA AERO signed a definitive agreement on July 27, 2026, to develop and integrate TG600 turbogenerators into the prototype of the Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA). The contract secures the critical power-generation architecture for the 19-seat hybrid-electric aircraft, advancing the program toward its first flight and industrialization.

Announced in a joint press release, the agreement transitions a June 2023 Memorandum of Understanding into a binding development phase. The ERA will utilize a distributed hybrid-electric Propulsion system, relying on two Safran TG600 turbogenerators to supply power to eight ENGINeUS electric motors mounted along the wings.

Propulsion architecture and technical specifications

The integration of the propulsion system is a joint effort between Safran Helicopter Engines, Safran Electrical & Power, and AURA AERO. Each TG600 turbogenerator is capable of delivering 600 kilowatts of electrical power output. These units will generate the electricity required to drive the eight ENGINeUS motors during flight phases that demand sustained power, enabling the aircraft to achieve its maximum range of 900 nautical miles (1,500 kilometers).

Cédric Goubet, President of Safran Helicopter Engines, stated that the TG600 will be an essential element of the ERA’s hybrid propulsion system.

“We are particularly pleased to reach this important milestone in our Partnerships with Aura Aero and thus contribute to advancing the decarbonization of aviation alongside this up-and-coming French aircraft manufacturer. Our teams will now work with those of Aura Aero towards the first flight of a prototype.”

The turbogenerator agreement follows a related announcement on July 20, 2026, in which Safran Electrical & Power and AURA AERO expanded their strategic partnership. That agreement focused on the serial production of the fully electric INTEGRAL E trainer aircraft and confirmed the selection of the ENGINeUS motors for the ERA. Jérémy Caussade, President and Co-founder of AURA AERO, noted that strengthening the partnership with Safran Electrical & Power consolidates the technological and industrial roadmap for both aircraft programs.

Market momentum for the ERA and TG600

The definitive agreement with Safran provides industrial backing for the ERA as AURA AERO works to convert its initial market interest into a firm backlog. In March 2026, French private airline Pan Européenne Air Service placed the first firm Orders for the ERA. Prior to this firm order, AURA AERO had secured approximately 700 Letters of Intent (LOIs) for the aircraft, representing an estimated total value of $12 billion.

The TG600 turbogenerator is also gaining traction beyond the ERA program. On July 15, 2026, Safran Helicopter Engines secured a life-of-program production agreement with United States-based Manufacturers Electra. Under that Contracts, Safran will supply the TG600 for Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft, demonstrating broader industry adoption of the 600 kW power generation architecture for next-generation regional platforms.

AirPro News analysis

We view the July 27 agreement as a critical de-risking milestone for AURA AERO. Transitioning from a Memorandum of Understanding to a definitive development contract with a Tier 1 aerospace supplier like Safran provides the ERA program with necessary industrial credibility. The sequential announcements throughout July 2026, including the INTEGRAL E production agreement and the Electra TG600 contract, indicate that Safran is aggressively positioning its turbogenerator and electric motor portfolios as the default propulsion solutions for the emerging sub-20-seat hybrid-electric market. Securing firm hardware commitments is essential for AURA AERO to convert its substantial $12 billion backlog of Letters of Intent into firm orders, following the initial commitment from Pan Européenne Air Service.

Sources: AURA AERO

Eve Air Mobility and Shearwater Global Capital signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for up to 16 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft on July 19, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow. The agreement introduces a dedicated leasing model to the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector, allowing future operators to launch electric air taxi services without the capital burden of outright aircraft purchases.

Announced via a company press release, the deal marks a significant step for institutional aviation finance entering the AAM market. Shearwater Global Capital, which joined Bay Point in April 2026 to establish an aviation finance vertical, intends to purchase the Eve 100 aircraft and lease them downstream to carriers.

Leasing model lowers barriers for operators

By acting as a lessor, Shearwater aims to provide financing solutions that reduce the upfront capital requirements for airlines and operators looking to integrate eVTOLs into their fleets. This approach mirrors traditional commercial aviation finance, where leasing companies hold significant portions of the global fleet to distribute financial risk and enable operator growth.

“This order reflects our confidence in Eve’s technology, leadership team, and vision for advanced air mobility,” said Chris Miller, Managing Director of Aviation at Shearwater Global Capital. He noted that the firm intends to play a leading role in supporting the global growth of the sector through these leasing structures.

Eve Air Mobility expands Farnborough footprint

The agreement with Shearwater is a non-binding LOI, and specific delivery dates and financial terms have not been disclosed by the companies. The announcement coincided with a separate LOI signed on July 19, 2026, between Eve Air Mobility and Moov Airways for up to 30 eVTOL aircraft intended for tourism and regional mobility in Cabo Verde.

Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve Air Mobility, welcomed the partnership, stating that the company looks forward to supporting Shearwater as it brings leasing solutions to the market. The commercial momentum at Farnborough was accompanied by regulatory progress, as Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) published proposed noise certification criteria for the Eve 100 on the same day.

AirPro News analysis

We view the entry of established aviation finance entities like Shearwater Global Capital into the eVTOL space as a critical maturation point for the AAM industry. While manufacturers have accumulated thousands of conditional orders, the transition from non-binding LOIs to firm, funded contracts requires robust financing mechanisms. The lessor model will likely be essential for AAM adoption, as many early operators will lack the balance sheet strength to acquire fleets of Eve 100 aircraft outright. The concurrent progress on ANAC noise certification criteria provides a necessary regulatory foundation to support these future financial commitments.

Sources: Eve Air Mobility / Embraer