Nice airport forms an alliance to host Europe's first commercial eVTOL service with Joby

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport formed an alliance with Blade (Joby's air-mobility brand), Heli Sécurité and Monacair to prepare for Europe's first commercial eVTOL operations using Joby's electric air taxi, once regulators certify it. A full-scale model of the aircraft was unveiled at the airport following an earlier showing in Monaco. The seafront location allows flight paths that avoid dense population — with fast connections to Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez.

Why it matters

Joby's European entry is taking the same shape as its Dubai playbook: pick a premium short-hop corridor with existing helicopter demand (the Riviera's Monaco shuttle is Europe's busiest) and convert it, rather than waiting on urban networks. An airport-led alliance with the incumbent heli operators removes the local-opposition and infrastructure risk that stalls most eVTOL launch plans.

What to watch

EASA certification timing — the gating item — and whether the alliance commits to firm aircraft orders and a launch year.