Firms are pushing to begin flying taxi operations by next year and go full blast by 2030, promising to expand and transform people’s way of life.

Flying cars, usually only seen in sci-fi movies and cartoons will soon become a reality, as manufacturers rush to launch the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the world. The innovation, which several manufacturers have been developing since mid-2000s, has now reached a critical point, with many targeting commercial operations to start by 2025. Sooner rather than later, the flying taxi, or advanced air mobility vehicle, could become a practical reality.

The Frontrunners

One of the companies leading the race is U.S.-based Joby Aviation, which has signed an exclusive agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch the flying taxis in 2026, with initial operations targeted as early as next year.

Through the new aircraft, the United Arab Emirates hopes even intercity travel across the Emirates can be done in just 10 minutes, with the new technology promising to reduce travel time by at least 70%.

In a 2021 interview with global management consulting firm McKinsey and Company, Bonny Simi, Joby’s Head of Operations and People, shared that they want to cut travel time that used to take one to one-and-a-half hours to just 10 minutes, and do it sustainably, since the aircraft will be electric and battery powered.

The innovation is envisioned to change people’s lifestyles. For instance, instead of a Zoom meeting with someone from a different state or city, one can just do a 10-minute flight to connect face to face. Living in the countryside will also be more doable, as an air taxi can just shuttle you to work in the city. (Think living in a beach house in Batangas or Bataan and going to work in Makati.)

Most importantly, they can be helpful in emergency situations to transport people and supplies faster and in a less costly way (since it will not require fuel). In fact, Joby has delivered its first air taxi to the U.S. Air Force, where it is currently being tested and used in operations.

Simi expects early adopters to be large, highly dense urban areas such as Los Angeles, New York, Singapore, and Tokyo, but eventually, the company would like to target farther routes.

“You ultimately can connect Nagoya to Tokyo, for example. And eventually, advanced air mobility (AAM) will be bringing people from the rural areas into cities,” Simi shared with McKinsey.

Their aircraft, which will seat four passengers and a pilot, will fly at a maximum speed of 200 mph, takes off and lands vertically, boasts of zero carbon emissions, and is less noisy than the average aircraft.

“Our expert team of engineers has dedicated years to delivering an aircraft that will be quiet enough to land in your neighborhood,” Joby shares on its website.

Initial costs may still be pricey. For its Dubai operations for instance, the minimum fare is pegged at 350 Dirhams per person or $96 (PHP 5,372). But they hope to bring this rate down as they grow in scale, and be comparable in cost to ride hailing apps.

For several years now, Joby has been in the process of completing various testings to comply with the safety standards of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and has finished three of the five required stages for commercial operations.

Not far behind is German manufacturer Volocopter, who aims to be the first to secure certification from the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) by the first quarter of 2025 for its eVTOL called Volo City. The aircraft has conducted over 2,000 test flights, and has flown in various cities such as Dubai, Helsinki, and Singapore.

It aims to be the first commercial eVTOL with the highest global aviation safety standards, providing their aircraft with multiple redundant systems to make the vehicle extra safe. 

“The rotors, electric motors, batteries, avionics, and display all have at least two replacements. This actually exceeds the technical requirements and should give you the peace of mind to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view,” the manufacturer explains on its website.

Joby and Volocopter are just two of over 200 manufacturers currently trying to develop their own flying vehicle, with several aspirants spread across the United States, Europe, China and Brazil.

Flying Taxis: The Next Normal

In a 2021 report, McKinsey forecast that flying taxis would be “the next normal” by 2030 or sooner. “Flying taxis are going to happen. The question for me at the moment is when it’s going to happen—not if,” shared Benedict Kloss, McKinsey Associate Partner.

The small flying objects will have an average of three passengers per aircraft and can be called on through a mobile app. A service car or a scooter can take you to the flying taxi stand, where your electric flying taxi awaits to take you within a 100- to 150-mile radius.

“This all will be one seamless experience. I imagine it to be fully integrated into my mobility app: my e-scooter ride to the office in the morning, the trip to the airport, the flight, the trip from the airport into the city, and then, again, the scooter for the last mile. It may even be one integrated ticket,” explained Kersten Heineke, partner at McKinsey.

Initially, the aircraft will fly with the usual pilot on board. But the ultimate goal is for the taxis to fly with the pilots on the ground, remotely controlling the vehicle as you would a drone. This will free up an additional passenger seat (four instead of three passenger seats), as well as allow the pilot to eventually operate more than one aircraft at a time.

“The evolution that could happen is this: First, the pilot is in the vehicle. Then you take the pilot out of the vehicle and the pilot is on the ground, but you have a one-on-one operation—one pilot for one vehicle, but remotely operated. And then, over time, this ratio goes down,” expounded Kloss.

Prospects and Challenges

Financially, the business is very lucrative. The taxi service business is seen as a $400 billion global business, while ride-hailing apps are a $100 billion business, translating to billions of dollars in potential income for flying taxis.

However the cost of developing the AAM technology, estimated at a billion dollars, is higher than some manufacturers projected. Add to this the numerous safety and regulatory requirements, air traffic control issues, the challenges of an eVTOL (apparently more difficult and riskier to launch and land than a regular aircraft) all contributing to delaying its take-off.

But if successful, it can truly revolutionize the aviation industry and change the way people move. “It’s going to be so important that this is not a toy for the rich but something that is broadly providing value to people,” reminded Robin Riedel, partner at McKinsey.

“We’re talking about the democratization of helicopter flight and, ultimately, the democratization of private jets. That’s something that many people would not be able to afford if it weren’t for these advanced air mobility vehicles,” added Heineke.

The long-term goal is to make AAMs a regular part of everyday life, giving the average person more time, options, and mobility, which could lead to a broader and more enriched life.