Major Investors Expect First Commercial eVTOL Passenger Routes to be Operational by 2026

Professional investors worldwide predict the first eVTOL commercial passenger routes to be operational by 2026

96% of global investors agree that a rapidly improved regulatory environment over the next five years will fuel substantial new investment in the eVTOL market

TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOVR), doing business as Horizon Aircraft (“Horizon Aircraft” or the “Company”), a leading hybrid electric Vertical TakeOff and Landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft developer, publishes new global research* that indicates global investors are anticipating the first commercial passenger routes of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft to be operational in the next few years as the Future Air Mobility market continues to advance rapidly.

Its global study with senior executives at leading investment firms in Japan, the US, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia responsible for more than $1.787 trillion assets under management reveals increasing optimism about the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market with two in five (40%) investors stating they think the first commercial UAM routes will be operational by 2026. Only 4% of professional investors believe the debut date for commercial passenger routes will extend beyond 2030.

This study also revealed that nearly all (96%) professional investors agree that the growing demand for better and more efficient transportation systems across the world, combined with the need to reduce the environmental impact caused by more vehicles on the road and advances in technology improving the safety and viability of eVTOLs, will drive improvements in the regulatory framework and fuel investment in the sector over the next five years. Only 1% of investors did not agree that overcoming any potential obstacles would inevitably see increased investment in the eVTOL market.

The main factors concerning the eVTOL market that will need regulation highlighted by professional investors are Information and Communications Networks followed by Air Traffic Control and Security.

Table showing key areas for regulation, in order of those deemed by investors as the most important to regulate first:

Overall Rank	Area of Regulation
1	Information and Communications Networks
2	Air Traffic Control
3	Security
4	Certifying autonomous flight
5	Cyber Security
6	eVTOL airworthiness
7	Environmental impact
8	Detect and avoid capability