Volocopter, the German electric air taxi startup backed by Mercedes-Benz, has filed for bankruptcy protection. The company aims to continue operations while seeking new investors to stay afloat.
CEO Dirk Hoke emphasized Volocopter’s leadership in technology, flight testing, and certification, framing the move as part of an internal restructuring. "We are ahead of our peers, which makes us an attractive investment opportunity," Hoke stated.
The bankruptcy filing follows months of financial instability and arrives shortly after German rival Lilium temporarily ceased operations, only to be rescued by investors days later.
Despite raising substantial funds over the past decade — with support from Mercedes-Benz and China’s Geely — Volocopter’s struggles reflect broader challenges in the electric air taxi sector, where high costs and complex certification processes continue to strain startups.
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