German air taxi start-up Volocopter files for insolvency

By Reuters30 Dec 2024Reuters1 Mins read52

FILE PHOTO: A prototype of an electrical air-taxi drone by German start-up Volocopter that takes off and lands vertically performs a non-passenger flight over Le Bourget airport, near Paris, France, June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/File Photo

A prototype of an electrical air-taxi drone by German start-up Volocopter that takes off and lands vertically performs a non-passenger flight over Le Bourget airport, near Paris, France, June 21, 2021. — REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/File Photo

Air taxi start-up Volocopter GmbH filed for insolvency proceedings on Monday, citing its inability to raise new funds to maintain regular operations.

The Mercedes-Benz and Honeywell-backed company plans to continue business operations during the insolvency proceedings while seeking additional funding.

“Despite recent intensive fundraising efforts, finding a viable solution to maintain regular operations outside of insolvency proceedings has not been possible,” the Bruchsal, Germany-based firm said.

Organizations

Topics

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry is facing a financial crunch, with companies persistently seeking new investments to support their capital-intensive operations as companies prepare for commercial operations.

In November, peer Lilium said it would file for insolvency “soon”, after failing to resolve its financial difficulties.

Founded in 2011, Volocopter was scheduled to enter the market in 2025 with its urban eVTOL, the VoloCity.

(Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)