Eve Embraer taps former Rolls-Royce exec as chief commercial officer | WTAQ News Talk

By Gabriel Araujo

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Electric plane maker Eve has appointed former Rolls-Royce executive Megha Bhatia as its new commercial director, the company said on Tuesday, as it continues to push ahead with development of its “flying taxi.”

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

Eve, a company run by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, is one of several startups around the world developing battery-powered planes that can take off and land vertically to carry passengers on short urban routes, avoiding traffic jams.

The company, which expects its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to be certified and enter service in 2026, has secured nearly 3,000 potential orders before production begins, with potential revenue of $14.5 billion.

BACKGROUND

Bhatia will oversee Eve’s global sales, market intelligence and government relations functions. She most recently served as chief strategy officer for Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI), a provider of aviation maintenance support and financial services.

Previously, the same individual worked for more than a decade at Rolls-Royce, where for a period he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Business Aviation Division.

Key Quotes

“Megha’s extensive experience and strategic leadership will be instrumental as Eve prepares to convert the letter of intent into binding orders,” Eve CEO Johann Bordais said in a statement.

“Her ability to drive growth, manage large P&Ls and lead high-performing teams, combined with her deep knowledge of the aviation industry, make her an invaluable asset.”

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; editing by Lincoln Feast.)