SAO PAULO, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Electric aircraft maker

Eve has appointed former Rolls-Royce 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 planemaker Embraer ( ERJ ),

is one of a bevy of startups worldwide developing

battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically

to ferry travelers on short city trips, allowing them to beat

traffic.

The firm, which expects its electric vertical take-off and

landing (eVTOL) aircraft to obtain certification and enter

service in 2026, has amassed nearly 3,000 potential orders ahead

of production with potential revenue of $14.5 billion.

BACKGROUND

Bhatia will oversee Eve's global sales, market intelligence

and government relations divisions. She served most recently as

chief strategy officer at Jet Support Services Inc (JSSI), a

provider of aviation maintenance support and financial services.

The executive had previously worked for more than a decade

at Rolls-Royce, where she had a stint as sales & marketing vice

for the firm's business aviation division.

KEY QUOTES

"Megha's extensive experience and strategic leadership are

going to be instrumental as Eve prepares for LOI conversion into

firm orders," Eve's 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."

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)