Latest news with #FutureFlightChallenge
Metro
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Metro
Flying taxi reaches speeds of 150mph in first cross-country run
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The UK's first electric flying taxi has completed a successful test run, reaching up to 150mph above the Cotswolds skies. Swapping the car for a personal plane when you feel like it could soon be a reality, and not just a sci-fi utopia after the first cross-country test run of a flying taxi. Vertical Aerospace, a Bristol-based firm, made aviation history after its VX4 prototype flew a pilot and four passengers over the Cotswolds. It was the first time the aircraft flew outside test conditions, which are strictly monitored and limited. The prototype reached 150mph during the countryside run from Cotswolds airport, but VX4 is expected to reach up to 200mph when fully operational. Soon, a journey between Brighton and Heathrow could take just 20 minutes instead of more than an hour by car. Pilot of the maiden flight was Simon Davies, who said the first flight over the Cotswolds was 'truly special.' He said: 'Our performance predictions were spot on, and the aircraft handled beautifully. 'It's safe, responsive, and a joy to fly. The low noise from the propellers made the cockpit environment pleasant, a testament to the incredible work of our team. 'The VX4's smooth performance during this wingborne flight highlights its potential to deliver a quiet, efficient, and comfortable flying experience.' The prototype looks like a traditional small aircraft, but instead of relying solely on its rotor, it generates lift through the wings, which makes it quieter and more energy efficient, according to Aviation Source News. Other companies are also at the cusp of launching flying taxis too after a government plan to have them running by 2028. Virgin Atlantic announced plans for a flying taxi service with Job Aviation, which could take passengers from Manchester Airport to Leeds in 15 minutes instead of an hour-long drive. You could reach Heathrow Airport from Canary Wharf in just eight minutes – compared with 80 minutes on the road. Ticket prices have not been revealed yet as flying taxis as it will take at least three years before customer operations launch. The government announced £20 million in funding last month to make the use of commercial drones and flying taxis a reality. More Trending The Deparment for Transport (DfT) is working with the industry watchdog Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to cut red tape to get the taxis off the ground soon. Transport Minister Mike Kane said: 'This Government wants to see the UK maximise the benefits of future flight technologies including flying taxis, both for the economy and for communities. 'We recently announced over £20 million of government funding to the CAA and the Future Flight Challenge to deliver the future flight programme this year. 'This joint programme between industry, Government and the CAA will enhance drone capability by 2027 and flying taxis by 2028 in the UK skies.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: London's congestion charge set to rise – here's how much it could cost you MORE: Major change for passengers who stand up before a plane arrives at the terminal MORE: EasyJet flight diverted after woman 'grabs emergency exit and screams about a bomb'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Flying taxis could be in skies in three years, claims minister
'Flying taxis' could be in British skies in three years' time, a transport minister has claimed. Mike Kane told MPs the Government wanted to 'maximise the benefits of future flight technologies, including flying taxis'. Last month, ministers announced £20 million of funding to make commercial drones and flying taxi services a reality. The Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be supported by the new Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to cut red tape to ensure new technology reaches the public sooner. In March, Joby Aviation, a US company, announced a collaboration with Virgin Atlantic aiming to offer 'seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK', starting with hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport. Joby's electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200mph. Meanwhile, Alice Macdonald, the Labour MP for Norwich North, invited Mr Kane to 'take a flight on an electric plane' used in a scheme based at Norwich Airport that hopes to 'make East Anglia the heart of aviation innovation'. Mr Kane replied: 'This Government wants to see the UK maximise the benefits of future flight technologies including flying taxis, both for the economy and for communities. 'We recently announced over £20 million of government funding to the CAA and the Future Flight Challenge to deliver the future flight programme this year. 'This joint programme between industry, Government and the CAA will enhance drone capability by 2027 and flying taxis by 2028 in the UK skies. I would be delighted to visit her and Norwich, the airport in her constituency.' Later in the session, Gareth Bacon, the Tory shadow transport secretary, claimed the Government's Employment Rights Bill could 'threaten passengers' abilities to travel without disruption or additional costs'. He said the proposed legislation 'reduces the required notice period for strike action in any industry from 14 days to 10 days, increasing the risk of last-minute cancellations, which could, in theory, cost airlines tens of millions of pounds, which could, in turn, lead to higher costs for passengers as airlines pass the expenses on to the travelling public.' Mr Kane replied: 'This Government will always put passengers first. That's why more passengers than ever are flying in our skies and leaving our airports.' Graham Stringer, a Labour MP, called on the Government to abolish air passenger duty. The member for Blackley and Middleton South was the chairman of Manchester Airport from 1996 to 1997. He said: 'Every study shows that the cost of the tax, or the revenue generated from the tax, is much less than the benefit of abolishing the tax. 'Will he and the secretary of state go and try and talk some sense into the Chancellor of the Exchequer and their officials to get rid of this tax and benefit both aviation and the economy?' Mr Kane said airport passenger duty was 'part of a rich mix of the aviation tapestry', and added that 'most airports and airlines are seeing demand go through the roof'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Rhyl Journal
15-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
‘Flying taxis' could appear in UK skies as early as 2028, minister says
Mike Kane told MPs the Government wants to 'maximise the benefits of future flight technologies including flying taxis'. Last month, the Government announced £20 million of funding to make the use of commercial drones and flying taxi services a reality. The Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be supported by the new Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to cut red tape to ensure new technology reaches the public sooner. In March, US company Joby Aviation announced its collaboration with Virgin Atlantic which aims to offer 'seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK', starting with hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport. Joby's electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph. Labour MP Alice Macdonald (Norwich North) raised a scheme by Norwich airport that aims to make 'make East Anglia the heart of aviation innovation' and invited the minister to 'take a flight on an electric plane'. Mr Kane replied: 'This Government wants to see the UK maximise the benefits of future flight technologies including flying taxis, both for the economy and for communities. 'We recently announced over £20 million of government funding to the CAA and the Future Flight Challenge to deliver the future flight programme this year. 'This joint programme between industry, Government and the CAA will enhance drone capability by 2027 and flying taxis by 2028 in the UK skies. I would be delighted to visit her and Norwich, the airport in her constituency.' Later in the session, Tory shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon claimed the Government's Employment Rights Bill could 'threaten passengers' abilities to travel without disruption or additional costs'. He said: 'The Employment Rights Bill reduces the required notice period for strike action in any industry from 14 days to 10 days, increasing the risk of last-minute cancellations, which could in theory cost airlines tens of millions of pounds, which could in turn lead to higher costs for passengers as airlines pass the expenses on to the travelling public.' Mr Kane replied: 'This Government will always put passengers first. That's why more passengers than ever are flying in our skies and leaving our airports.' Labour MP Graham Stringer called on the Government to abolish air passenger duty. The member for Blackley and Middleton South was the chairman of Manchester Airport from 1996 to 1997. He said: 'Every study shows that the cost of the tax, or the revenue generated from the tax, is much less than the benefit of abolishing the tax. 'Will he and the Secretary of State go and try and talk some sense into the Chancellor of the Exchequer and their officials to get rid of this tax and benefit both aviation and the economy?' Mr Kane said airport passenger duty is 'part of a rich mix of the aviation tapestry', adding that 'most airports and airlines are seeing demand go through the roof'.
Powys County Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
‘Flying taxis' could appear in UK skies as early as 2028, minister says
'Flying taxis' could be in UK skies by 2028, a transport minister has claimed. Mike Kane told MPs the Government wants to 'maximise the benefits of future flight technologies including flying taxis'. Last month, the Government announced £20 million of funding to make the use of commercial drones and flying taxi services a reality. The Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be supported by the new Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to cut red tape to ensure new technology reaches the public sooner. In March, US company Joby Aviation announced its collaboration with Virgin Atlantic which aims to offer 'seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK', starting with hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport. Joby's electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph. Labour MP Alice Macdonald (Norwich North) raised a scheme by Norwich airport that aims to make 'make East Anglia the heart of aviation innovation' and invited the minister to 'take a flight on an electric plane'. Mr Kane replied: 'This Government wants to see the UK maximise the benefits of future flight technologies including flying taxis, both for the economy and for communities. 'We recently announced over £20 million of government funding to the CAA and the Future Flight Challenge to deliver the future flight programme this year. 'This joint programme between industry, Government and the CAA will enhance drone capability by 2027 and flying taxis by 2028 in the UK skies. I would be delighted to visit her and Norwich, the airport in her constituency.' Later in the session, Tory shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon claimed the Government's Employment Rights Bill could 'threaten passengers' abilities to travel without disruption or additional costs'. He said: 'The Employment Rights Bill reduces the required notice period for strike action in any industry from 14 days to 10 days, increasing the risk of last-minute cancellations, which could in theory cost airlines tens of millions of pounds, which could in turn lead to higher costs for passengers as airlines pass the expenses on to the travelling public.' Mr Kane replied: 'This Government will always put passengers first. That's why more passengers than ever are flying in our skies and leaving our airports.' Labour MP Graham Stringer called on the Government to abolish air passenger duty. The member for Blackley and Middleton South was the chairman of Manchester Airport from 1996 to 1997. He said: 'Every study shows that the cost of the tax, or the revenue generated from the tax, is much less than the benefit of abolishing the tax. 'Will he and the Secretary of State go and try and talk some sense into the Chancellor of the Exchequer and their officials to get rid of this tax and benefit both aviation and the economy?' Mr Kane said airport passenger duty is 'part of a rich mix of the aviation tapestry', adding that 'most airports and airlines are seeing demand go through the roof'.
Leader Live
15-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
‘Flying taxis' could appear in UK skies as early as 2028, minister says
Mike Kane told MPs the Government wants to 'maximise the benefits of future flight technologies including flying taxis'. Last month, the Government announced £20 million of funding to make the use of commercial drones and flying taxi services a reality. The Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be supported by the new Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to cut red tape to ensure new technology reaches the public sooner. In March, US company Joby Aviation announced its collaboration with Virgin Atlantic which aims to offer 'seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK', starting with hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport. Joby's electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph. Labour MP Alice Macdonald (Norwich North) raised a scheme by Norwich airport that aims to make 'make East Anglia the heart of aviation innovation' and invited the minister to 'take a flight on an electric plane'. Mr Kane replied: 'This Government wants to see the UK maximise the benefits of future flight technologies including flying taxis, both for the economy and for communities. 'We recently announced over £20 million of government funding to the CAA and the Future Flight Challenge to deliver the future flight programme this year. 'This joint programme between industry, Government and the CAA will enhance drone capability by 2027 and flying taxis by 2028 in the UK skies. I would be delighted to visit her and Norwich, the airport in her constituency.' Later in the session, Tory shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon claimed the Government's Employment Rights Bill could 'threaten passengers' abilities to travel without disruption or additional costs'. He said: 'The Employment Rights Bill reduces the required notice period for strike action in any industry from 14 days to 10 days, increasing the risk of last-minute cancellations, which could in theory cost airlines tens of millions of pounds, which could in turn lead to higher costs for passengers as airlines pass the expenses on to the travelling public.' Mr Kane replied: 'This Government will always put passengers first. That's why more passengers than ever are flying in our skies and leaving our airports.' Labour MP Graham Stringer called on the Government to abolish air passenger duty. The member for Blackley and Middleton South was the chairman of Manchester Airport from 1996 to 1997. He said: 'Every study shows that the cost of the tax, or the revenue generated from the tax, is much less than the benefit of abolishing the tax. 'Will he and the Secretary of State go and try and talk some sense into the Chancellor of the Exchequer and their officials to get rid of this tax and benefit both aviation and the economy?' Mr Kane said airport passenger duty is 'part of a rich mix of the aviation tapestry', adding that 'most airports and airlines are seeing demand go through the roof'.
