Embraer’s Eve appoints ex-Rolls-Royce executive as chief commercial officer Reuters

By Gabriel Araujo

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Electric plane maker Eve has named former Rolls-Royce ( OTC: ) executive Megha Bhatia as its new chief commercial officer, the company said on Tuesday, as it continues to develop its “flying taxi” .

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Eve, controlled by Brazilian plane maker Embraer, is part of a group of startups around the world developing battery-powered planes that can take off and land vertically to carry passengers on short city trips, allowing them to beat the traffic.

The firm, which expects its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to gain certification and enter service in 2026, has garnered nearly 3,000 potential pre-production orders with potential revenue of $14.5 billion.

BACKGROUND

Bhatia will oversee Eve’s global sales, market intelligence and government relations divisions. Most recently, she served as Chief Strategy Officer at Jet Support Services Inc (JSSI), an aviation maintenance support and financial services provider.

The director previously worked for more than a decade at Rolls-Royce, where he had a stint as vice sales and marketing for the company’s business aviation division.

KEY QUOTE

“Mega’s extensive experience and strategic leadership will be essential as Eve prepares to convert LOIs into firm orders,” Eve chief executive Johann Bordais said in a statement.

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