Air Taxis Not Ready for Olympics, Eyeing LA 2028
- A flying autonomous taxi conducted test flights over Versailles on the final day of the Paris Olympics.
- These developments indicate that air taxis are unlikely to be operational in Paris for the 2024 Olympics.
- However, there is optimism for their use in Los Angeles by the 2028 Olympics.
VERSAILLES, France (AP) — The vision of autonomous flying taxis transporting spectators during the Paris Olympics faced a setback due to certification delays. However, the backers of the Volocopter aircraft remain optimistic, conducting a test flight on the final day of the 2024 Olympics. The demonstration took place over the historic grounds of the Versailles palace, where the first hot-air balloon launched in 1783, showcasing the potential of electric air travel. Initially, a small fleet of pilot-less air taxis was planned to operate during the Olympics, with routes including a landing platform on the Seine River. Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke expressed hopes that French President Emmanuel Macron would be among the first passengers. Unfortunately, the Paris airport authority, ADP, announced that it did not secure the necessary certification from Europe’s air safety agency in time for the event. Despite this setback, manufacturers of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft remain confident in their future. Companies worldwide are actively seeking authorization for their models, with Volocopter aiming to gain permission to transport passengers over Paris for the upcoming reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in December. Looking ahead, rivals in the industry are setting their sights on making the dream of flying taxis a reality for the next Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028, as the pursuit of innovative public transport solutions continues to gain momentum.