The Volocopter insolvency saga may not be over, just yet. Just days after laying off all of its entire staff and entering insolvency proceedings, the troubled German eVTOL developer may have found a new investor.
German financial media outlet WirtschaftsWoche has reported that Austria-based, Chinese-owned Diamond Aircraft may be interested in acquiring Volocopter.
Although based in Carinthia, in southern Austria, Diamond Aircraft is owned by Wanfeng Aviation Industry, which is, itself, a subsidiary of Wanfeng Auto Holding Group, a large Chinese automotive group.
Diamond Aircraft is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of light aircraft, with its DA40 training aircraft being particularly popular in the flight school market. The Austrian firm is also working on an electric version of this aircraft, which it calls eDA40. This battery-powered, all-electric aircraft had its maiden flight in July 2023 and is undergoing its certification process as of Q1 2025.
While none of the parties involved has officially confirmed the conversations, WirtschaftsWoche, quoting sources familiar with the matter, stated that an aquisition of Volocopter by Diamong Aircraft may result in the retention of around 160 of Volocopter’s 500-strong aircraft.
It is also not clear what plans Diamond aircraft or its parent company, Wanfeng Aviation Industry, have for Volocopter or what role would it play in this group of companies should the deal go ahead.
AeroTime has contacted both Volocopter and Diamond Aircraft for comment.
