The UK government has published what it is calling the ‘Future of Flight’ action plan, which it hopes will lead to regular flying taxi services by 2028.
The plan sets out a roadmap for drones and novel electric aircraft in the UK, with the the first piloted flying taxi flight by 2026 and regular services two years later.
The action plan also wants to see “regular drone deliveries across our skies by 2027 and demos of autonomous flying taxis without pilots on board by 2030”.
The DfT said that drone technology could boost the UK economy by £45 billion by the end of the decade, and highlighted their potential uses for the police and NHS.
In 2021 Virgin Atlantic unveiled ambitions to establish a network of short-haul passenger flights using eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. The carrier has partnered with Bristol-based manufacturer Vertical Aerospace, with options to purchase up to 150 eVTOL aircraft.
And in 2022 UK-based Urban-Air Port opened a temporary demonstrator hub for eVTOL vehicles and autonomous cargo drones, in a car park in the centre of Coventry.
World’s first “fully functioning hub” for eVTOLs and drones unveiled in Coventry
The DfT said that flying taxis “are already undergoing the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorisation process”, and said that the action plan “strikes a balance between innovation, security, safety and cutting emissions”.
The document also sets out plans to allow drones to fly beyond visual line of sight, the development of standards to improve drone security, and the engagement of communities and local authorities.
The government is keen to use eVTOL technology as a way of “breathing life into smaller aerodromes by setting out how they can operate as vertiports”.
Last year Spanish infrastructure operator Ferrovail announced a new partnership with real estate developer Milligan to develop vertiport locations in the UK. The group is collaborating with Milligan to identify potential sites for eVTOL operations.
Commenting on the news Sophie O’Sullivan, head of future safety and innovation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
“Aviation stands on the cusp of its next, potentially biggest, revolution since the invention of the jet engine. Drones, eVTOL and other different vehicles have the potential to change transportation options forever.
“We welcome the firm direction the government’s Future of Flight action plan provides for the industry as it continues to innovate. Our role in this bright future of aviation will be enabling technological advances and providing regulatory support while ensuring that all forms of new aviation technology enjoy the same high safety standards as traditional aviation.”
While the UK hopes to have regular flying taxi services by 2028, other countries are moving ahead with eVTOL plans much sooner.
Japan wants to launch flying taxi services in time for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, and urban air mobility provider Volocopter recently confirmed that its eVTOL services are on track to launch in time for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Volocopter to launch electric air taxis in time for Paris 2024 Olympics
