Volocopter to test electric air taxis in Singapore in 2019

The company says the eVtols, based on drone technology, can carry two passengers for a distance up to 30 km.

These air taxis can manoeuvre safely around skyscrapers to ensure a smooth ride for passengers, Volocopter adds.

Volocopter will work with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to establish the scope of the trials.  

Ho Yuen Sang, director (aviation industry), CAAS, says the partnership will study the technology’s technical capabilities and develop operational guidelines for the initiative.

Also, Volocopter will establish a product design and engineering team to support its expansion plans. The firm is looking to collaborate with real-estate developers, mobility providers and businesses to implement an air taxi service in Singapore.

Florian Reuter CEO of Volocopter, says: "Volocopter holds a preliminary permit to fly from the German authorities since 2016 and is cooperating with the European Aviation Safety Authority to receive a full commercial license”.

Aside from CAAS, the project is supported by the Ministry of Transport and the government’s Economic Development Board.

In <%$Linker:2Internal<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary />4349450link-external Aprilfalse/sections/transmart/news/volocopter-to-launch-air-taxi-infrastructure-for-cities-within-ten-years/falsefalse%>, Volocopter unveiled its vision for an air taxi infrastructure for cities which it believes could integrate into transportation systems and provide mobility for up to 10,000 passengers per day. The company expects the technology to be available within the next ten years.