Volocopter, a manufacturer of air taxis, is still awaiting approval for its newest aircraft that can take off and land vertically. However, the company has plans to debut the electric aircraft at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which is less than 500 days away. CEO Dirk Hoke expressed confidence that they will be the first in the world to fly commercially. The European Union Agency for Aviation Safety is currently examining the VoloCity model for a type certificate required for passenger operations, with an expected completion date in the first half of 2024.
Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann was optimistic about the air taxis, stating that “the thing can fly, you don’t have to prove it to anyone.” The company has received permission to operate a take-off and landing site as its hall is now certified as a production facility. Hoke revealed that one shift can produce 50 aircraft a year in the future and that this capacity can be expanded over more layers.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing commended the company on its pioneering achievement, noting that battery-powered aircraft will promote quieter and more climate-friendly flights. Wissing also highlighted the importance of air taxis, especially for transporting time-sensitive items such as tissue samples during surgery. The Federal Ministry of Transport sees the whole air taxi industry as a beginning, with plans to clarify detailed technical and legal issues to allow for flights without safety pilots.
Volocopter’s CEO believes that the speed of battery development will pose the greatest challenge for the future of air taxis. He expects that the next generation of batteries will become available from 2025, making larger aircraft feasible from 2026.
