Australia is building an air traffic control system for drones. As authorities prepare for a surge in uncrewed aircraft flights & flying taxis over the next decade.

Why is Australia building an air traffic control system for drones?

Will you be able to board a flying taxi soon? Airlines around the world have placed orders for air cabs that take off and land vertically. Analysts believe air taxi services will be first introduced by existing airlines, who will offer the ride to their first-class customers for a premium price.

Gravitas | Will flying taxis take off in 2024?

Flying taxis are said to have come a long way. Some of them have even got necessary approvals and certifications, but the fact is they are still far from being the future of mobility. Watch our report to know why.

Why flying cars are not on the market yet | Tech It Out

Flying taxis could be coming to our cities as early as 2024. The flying cars will connect major airports to city centers. They will reduce travel time to a fourth, and will be much cheaper than a helicopter ride. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Flying taxis could be a reality in 2024

AirAsia Aviation Group unveiled plans for a low-cost air ridesharing service in Southeast Asia after signing a non-binding deal with lessor Avolon for at least 100 Vertical Aerospace VX4 electric vehicles.

AirAsia to lease at least 100 flying taxis to launch air ridesharing service

If all goes well, Sao Paulo may see a fleet of small aircrafts that'll ferrt commuters in and around the congested city in near future. Brazillian budget airline Gol has struck a deal to make this a reality. Chief executive of Avolon, the company that'll provide aircrafts to Gol was quoted by Financial Times as saying that the move is going to be a "disruptor" that will "democratise air travel".

Sao Paulo's super-rich have access to helicopters that are often seen flying between the high-end beachfront properties. But for the common citizen, it is the roads and usual vehicles. Sao Paulo has a population of 12 million and has more than 8 million cars. Air taxis may thus help residents of this congested city.

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“Our basic estimate at the moment is that the operating cost here for this aircraft will be the equivalent of $1 per passenger over a 25-mile trip,” Dómhnal Slattery, chief executive of Avalon was quoted as saying by Financial Times. Avolon is providing the air taxis to budget airline Gol.

“We think we can get the cost of this down to the equivalent of an Uber ride, equivalent to downtown Manhattan to JFK.” Slattery further told Financial Times.

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Gol (GOLL4.SA) said on Tuesday that the VA-X4 eVTOL, manufactured by Britain's Vertical Aerospace, would boost its domestic regional offering and help it reach its 2050 carbon neutrality goal, lifting its shares in Sao Paulo.

"The VA-X4 is ideal for a city like Sao Paulo," Vertical Aerospace CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick said in a statement. "Our eVTOLs will transform how we travel around high population density cities that are clogged with traffic."

Avolon, which has agreed to buy up to 500 of the aircraft from the British manufacturer, said it was close to reaching agreement with Asian operators for the remaining 250 jets, with deals expected within 6-12 months.

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"I would fully expect us to have placed all of our initial 500 order in that time frame," Avolon Chief Commercial Officer Paul Geaney told Reuters.

"We'll be looking to Asia after Sao Paulo."

Gol said the move is part of its commercial strategy to invest in regional air transportation. The airline intends to open up new routes to "underserved domestic markets".

(With inputs from agencies)

If all goes well, Sao Paulo may see a fleet of small aircrafts that'll ferrt commuters in and around the congested city in near future. Brazillian budget airline Gol has struck a deal to make this a reality.

If all goes well, Sao Paulo may see a fleet of small aircrafts that'll ferrt commuters in and around the congested city in near future. Brazillian budget airline Gol has struck a deal to make this a reality. Chief executive of Avolon, the company that'll provide aircrafts to Gol was quoted by Financial Times as saying that the move is going to be a "disruptor" that will "democratise air travel". Sao Paulo's super-rich have access to helicopters that are often seen flying between the high-end beachfront properties. But for the common citizen, it is the roads and usual vehicles. Sao Paulo has a population of 12 million and has more than 8 million cars. Air taxis may thus help residents of this congested city. Also Read: Unvaccinated Bolsonaro forced to eat on sidewalk as New York eateries deny entry “Our basic estimate at the moment is that the operating cost here for this aircraft will be the equivalent of $1 per passenger over a 25-mile trip,” Dómhnal Slattery, chief executive of Avalon was quoted as saying by Financial Times. Avolon is providing the air taxis to budget airline Gol. “We think we can get the cost of this down to the equivalent of an Uber ride, equivalent to downtown Manhattan to JFK.” Slattery further told Financial Times. Also Read: Brazilian airline ordered to pay for women cabin crew's cosmetic costs Gol (GOLL4.SA) said on Tuesday that the VA-X4 eVTOL, manufactured by Britain's Vertical Aerospace, would boost its domestic regional offering and help it reach its 2050 carbon neutrality goal, lifting its shares in Sao Paulo. "The VA-X4 is ideal for a city like Sao Paulo," Vertical Aerospace CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick said in a statement. "Our eVTOLs will transform how we travel around high population density cities that are clogged with traffic." Avolon, which has agreed to buy up to 500 of the aircraft from the British manufacturer, said it was close to reaching agreement with Asian operators for the remaining 250 jets, with deals expected within 6-12 months. Also Read: Brazil: Bolsonaro issues decree modifying social media moderation rules "I would fully expect us to have placed all of our initial 500 order in that time frame," Avolon Chief Commercial Officer Paul Geaney told Reuters. "We'll be looking to Asia after Sao Paulo." Gol said the move is part of its commercial strategy to invest in regional air transportation. The airline intends to open up new routes to "underserved domestic markets". (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil's budget airline Gol to bring flying taxis to Sao Paulo

Flying cars are touted as the future of urban mobility. While we didn't see a lot of action in this space last year, possibly due to the coronavirus pandemic, things are finally zipping along.

Tech It Out | Flying cars: The future of urban mobility

Airbus and Boeing watch out - one of the world's largest aircraft owners says passenger planes could see their wings clipped by the rapid spread of&nbsp;flying&nbsp;taxi startups.

Commercial air travel already faces competition from high-speed trains in parts of the world. But the head of Irish aircraft leasing firm Avolon said competition would shift skywards as it invested up to $2 billion in aerial shuttles.

Avolon is among the launch customers for up to 1,000 electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVOTL) aircraft being developed by Britain's Vertical Aerospace, which plans to go public through a merger with a blank-check firm.

German air shuttle startup Lilium said in March it would float on the U.S. stock market via a similar process.

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The deals reflect the growing interest in battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically, offering a new way for travelers to beat traffic and hop between cities.

Vertical's VA-X4 has a range of 120 miles but that could be extended further, Avolon Chief Executive Domhnal Slattery said on late Thursday.

"The challenge for the incumbent (planemakers) is if the range can extend to 400-500 miles, what is the implication for traditional narrowbodies?" he said in a Reuters interview.

Asked if the vehicles for four passengers and a pilot could take business from much larger commercial planes, Slattery said, "Eventually, yes of course. This is the inevitable future." Planemakers have themselves invested in such projects.

PARTNERSHIPS

Helicopter travel could also be squeezed.

"You have got to think that you have these machines that can disintermediate the legacy helicopters through just being 100 times quieter and no emissions," Slattery said.

Avolon has placed a firm order for 310 eVTOLs worth $1.25 billion and 190 options worth $750 million, Slattery said.

They will join an owned or managed fleet of 568 passenger aircraft all the way up to the 396-seat Boeing 777-300ER.

Slattery said Avolon had not decided how to deploy the air&nbsp;taxis, whose relatively short product development cycles mark a shift for leasing companies used to long-term jet investments.

"We could partner with airlines, we could establish our own entities in different jurisdictions around the world, we could partner with helicopter operators," Slattery said.

"I think it is going to take a lot of different forms over time. But the technology is here and we are going to lead commercialization of it with zero-emission credentials".

The move comes at a time when aviation companies are jostling for leadership of the environmental agenda as they came under pressure from investors to help decarbonize&nbsp;flying&nbsp;and bolster their environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores.

Vertical Aerospace says eVTOL aircraft can help the industry meet carbon reduction goals through zero emissions and electrical power, where possible derived from renewable energy.

But experts say questions remain over the timing of safety certification, which eVOTL suppliers expect as early as 2024.

Airbus and Boeing watch out - one of the world's largest aircraft owners says passenger planes could see their wings clipped by the rapid spread of flying taxi startups.

Airbus and Boeing watch out - one of the world's largest aircraft owners says passenger planes could see their wings clipped by the rapid spread of flying taxi startups. Commercial air travel already faces competition from high-speed trains in parts of the world. But the head of Irish aircraft leasing firm Avolon said competition would shift skywards as it invested up to $2 billion in aerial shuttles. Avolon is among the launch customers for up to 1,000 electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVOTL) aircraft being developed by Britain's Vertical Aerospace, which plans to go public through a merger with a blank-check firm. German air shuttle startup Lilium said in March it would float on the U.S. stock market via a similar process. Also Read | Military plane crashes near Myanmar's Mandalay, killing 12 The deals reflect the growing interest in battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically, offering a new way for travelers to beat traffic and hop between cities. Vertical's VA-X4 has a range of 120 miles but that could be extended further, Avolon Chief Executive Domhnal Slattery said on late Thursday. "The challenge for the incumbent (planemakers) is if the range can extend to 400-500 miles, what is the implication for traditional narrowbodies?" he said in a Reuters interview. Asked if the vehicles for four passengers and a pilot could take business from much larger commercial planes, Slattery said, "Eventually, yes of course. This is the inevitable future." Planemakers have themselves invested in such projects. PARTNERSHIPS Helicopter travel could also be squeezed. "You have got to think that you have these machines that can disintermediate the legacy helicopters through just being 100 times quieter and no emissions," Slattery said. Avolon has placed a firm order for 310 eVTOLs worth $1.25 billion and 190 options worth $750 million, Slattery said. They will join an owned or managed fleet of 568 passenger aircraft all the way up to the 396-seat Boeing 777-300ER. Slattery said Avolon had not decided how to deploy the air taxis, whose relatively short product development cycles mark a shift for leasing companies used to long-term jet investments. "We could partner with airlines, we could establish our own entities in different jurisdictions around the world, we could partner with helicopter operators," Slattery said. "I think it is going to take a lot of different forms over time. But the technology is here and we are going to lead commercialization of it with zero-emission credentials". The move comes at a time when aviation companies are jostling for leadership of the environmental agenda as they came under pressure from investors to help decarbonize flying and bolster their environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores. Vertical Aerospace says eVTOL aircraft can help the industry meet carbon reduction goals through zero emissions and electrical power, where possible derived from renewable energy. But experts say questions remain over the timing of safety certification, which eVOTL suppliers expect as early as 2024.

Flying taxis hamper future of passenger planes, says Avolon

The world’s first urban airport dedicated to electric air-taxis and drones will be opened in Coventry, England later this year after securing UK government backing.

World's first urban airport for drones and flying taxis to start operations by November

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