World’s first electric air taxis set to take flight in Singapore by 2023
- Volocopter will initially carry a pilot and one customer, though services could switch to two passengers once nod for autonomous operation is received
- The first commercial route is likely to fly tourists over Singapore’s Marina Bay, offering spectacular views of the skyline
The German manufacturer is committed to starting operations within three years once it completes flight trials, evaluation and certification in collaboration with the city state, it said in a statement on Wednesday. Tickets for a 15-minute trip costing 300 euros (US$362) are already on sale.
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Singapore is at the forefront of plans to introduce flying taxis thanks to a more welcoming regulatory regime than in some other countries. While the craft could replace helicopters and light aircraft on some routes, they’d also be small and nimble enough to fly deep within cities and land with minimal space.
“Singapore is renowned for its leading role in adapting and living new technologies,” Volocopter Chief Executive Officer Florian Reuter said, adding that local capabilities in battery research, material science and route validation for autonomous operations will be central to the project.
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German ‘flying taxi’ makes its debut with test flight in Singapore
Volocopter, which counts computer chip manufacturer Intel and carmakers Daimler and Geely as investors, plans to set up a team of 50 pilots, engineers and operations specialists to support the Singapore flights.
The craft will initially carry a pilot and one customer, though services could switch to two passengers once approvals for autonomous operation are received. Ticket prices should fall sharply once flights become more widely available, according to Volocopter.
Obtaining necessary approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency will be a prerequisite for flights, the company said.
