Eve Air Mobility Targets 2026 Flight Test Milestones and Finalizes Key Customer Agreement with Japan Leading Charter Operator AirX

SINGAPORE – In a high-velocity start to the 2026 Singapore Airshow, Eve Air Mobility (an Embraer company) has solidified its dominant position in the Asia-Pacific market. As of February 4, 2026, the company officially transitioned from prototype unveilings to a rigorous commercial and operational phase, securing a binding order from Japan’s AirX and detailing a "disciplined" flight-test campaign that will define the next 12 months of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry.

A Milestone Order in the Heart of Asia

The landmark agreement with Tokyo-based AirX, Japan’s leading helicopter charter broker, marks Eve’s first binding agreement in the Asia-Pacific region. The deal includes a firm order for two eVTOL aircraft with options for an additional 48, representing a potential total value of $150 million.

AirX intends to integrate the zero-emission aircraft into its existing digital platforms, AIROS Skyview and AIROS Charter, targeting high-traffic sightseeing routes and "last-mile" missions in the Tokyo and Osaka Bay areas.

“Our first agreement in Asia-Pacific, achieved in partnership with AirX in Japan, is more than a milestone; it launches a new era that will redefine urban mobility,” said Johann Bordais, Chief Executive Officer of Eve Air Mobility. “Asia-Pacific is poised to help lead the global transformation toward sustainable air transportation, and together we are pioneering solutions that will redefine how cities connect, move, and thrive.”

The 2026 Flight-Test Blitz

Following the successful first hover flight of its uncrewed full-scale prototype in late December 2025, Eve is now scaling up its technical validation. The company revealed today that it is manufacturing six conforming prototypes to support a massive 2026 testing campaign.

The 2026 roadmap focuses on "expanding the envelope," moving from vertical take-off to the critical transition into wingborne cruise. This phase is essential for proving the efficiency of Eve’s "Lift + Cruise" configuration, which utilises eight dedicated lifters and a rear pusher propeller.

“The prototype behaved as predicted by our models,” noted Luiz Valentini, Eve’s Chief Technology Officer. “With these data points, we will expand the envelope and progress toward transition to wingborne flight in a disciplined manner, ramping up to hundreds of flights throughout 2026 and building the knowledge required for type certification.”

The Eve eVTOL

Japan as an AAM Leader

The partnership highlights Japan's strategic focus on becoming a global leader in electric aviation. Kiwamu Tezuka, founder and CEO of AirX, expressed confidence in the choice of Eve over other competitors:

“This collaboration reinforces our commitment to sustainability and innovation, and positions AirX at the forefront of the evolving air mobility market.”

 

By selecting Eve’s platform, which benefits from Embraer’s five decades of aerospace certification expertise, AirX is betting on a proven engineering pedigree to navigate the complex regulatory landscapes of Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB).

Conclusion: A Pivot Toward Production

As other AAM players face funding hurdles or technical pauses, Eve's momentum in early 2026 suggests a stabilised path toward its 2027 entry-into-service goal. With $150 million in new financing secured late last year and a growing backlog of over 2,900 units, the company is no longer just selling a vision; it is building an industrial reality.