SAO PAULO, June 19 Reuters Electric aircraft maker Eve and Blade Air Mobility are expanding their partnership to integrate Eve39;s upcoming flying car into Blade39;s European route network, starting with France, the companies said on Monday.

The deal follows similar agreements between the firms, which are currently participating in the Paris Airshow, to use Eve39;s electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles eVTOLs in India and the United States.

Eve is controlled by Brazilian planemaker Embraer and expects to start commercial operations of its vehicle in 2026.

Eve and Blade said in a statement that under their new memorandum of understanding, Blade would focus on developing practical applications for air mobility, including identifying future routes in France and other European countries.

They did not say if the deal would involve new eVTOL purchases by Blade, whose current European operations include flying conventional helicopters between Nice and Monaco.

Eve and Blade last year agreed to deploy up to 200 electric aircraft in India, after also signing a letter of intent for operations in the U.S., where Eve expects to provide up to 60 vehicles per year.

Extending our partnership with Eve underscores Blade39;s commitment to leading the transition from conventional to electric vertical aircraft, Blade Chief Executive Officer Rob Wiesenthal said.

Eve holds a backlog of nearly 2,800 orders before starting production, with development backed by investors such as…