A partnership with Blade, Heli Sécurité and Monacair sees Nice Côte d’Azur Airportedge closer to launching an air taxi network on the French Riviera
The second-largest airport in France after Paris and Europe’s second-largest hub for business asting ground for the airport of the future
The airport has partnered with Blade – the air mobility arm of Joby Ahe arrival of Europe’s first commercial electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles in Europe
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport: The gateway to the French Riviera
The gateway to the French Riviera, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport serves destinations including Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez. It welcomed over 15 million passengers through its doors in 2025. Along with Cannes Mandelieu and Gulf de Saint-Tropez, it is managed by Groupe Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, which has made low-carbon, sustainable a
Certified on the Airport Council International’s (ACI’s) Airport Carbon AccreditationLevel 5, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has turned its attention to electric flight. The airport already boasts a high volume of wealthy clientele travelling through the airport, while the helicopter passenger transport market has been firmly established in the region for over 50 years
Nice’s coastal location is ideal for eVTOLs
The airport’s coastal location allows flight paths that avoid populated areas, while offering quick, easy access to iconic destinations for the well-heeled passenger, such as Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez. It is an ideal candidate to host one of Europe’s first commercial eVTOL networks
Once certified by European and French authorities, Joby’s electric air taxiwill offer a quieter alternative to helicopters with zero direct CO₂ emissions, symbolising a new generation of electric air travel
Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, underlined the airport’s commitment to developing air mobility in the region. “We would be particularly proud if Nice Côte d’Azur Airport were among the first in Europe to host eVTOLs in commercial operation”, he said
“As a testing ground for the airport of the future, we support all innovations that help maintain the region’s appeal and connectivity while reducing CO2 emissions and noise pollution from air traffic.”
Industry partners bring decades of experience
Heli Sécurité currently operates commercial helicopter routes within France, notably between Nice and Monaco, leveraging operational expertise in running scheduled services
Monacair, the Principality’s long-standing operator, contributes established market expertise in premium air transport
Meanwhile, as the air mobility brand of the Joby Aal development of the future eVTOL offering. It draws on experience in on-demand air mobility, linking current operations with the gradual rollout of Joby’s electric air taxis
“Electric atransportation, making air travel cleaner, quieter, and more accessible,” noted JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport serves as a model for how airports are preparing for this new era of ao experience our aircraft.”
Although Joby has yet to confirm a launch date or pricing for its eVTOL operations, its aircraft is already flying commercially in Dubai, giving it a head start on certification experience elsewhere. Combined with Nice’s established helicopter-transfer market, that places Nice in a strong position in the long race to launch commercial air taxi services.
Why France is one of Europe’s more advanced eVTOL markets
France is one of Europe’s more advanced eVTOL markets, although progress has been staggered
Paris had positioned itself as the frontrunner ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, when French airport operator Groupe ADP and eVTOL manufacturer Volocopter spent years building infrastructure, including a five-vertiport network featuring a floating pad on the Seine at Austerlitz
It aimed to run Europe’s first commercial eVTOL passenger service during the Games. However, certification for commercial passenger flights from EASA and the French civil a didn’t materialise in time, and the Olympic debut failed to take off
Volocopter and Groupe ADP then shifted their focus to piloted validation flights at the Saint-Cyr-l’École vertiport. However, at the end of 2024, Volocopter filed for insolvency before striking a long-term agreement with French helicopter operator Jet Systems to supply VoloCity eVTOL aircraft for the Paris region, contingent on EASA certification
Enjoy reading about air taxis? Click here to learn more about Joby Aviation’s eVTOL flights in New YorkEnjoy reading about air taxis? Click here to learn more about Joby Aviation’s eVTOL flights in New York
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SustainabilityUrban Air MobilityAir TaxieVTOLJoby AviationNice Cote d’Azur AirportSustainabilityUrban air mobility
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