Latest news with #Volocopter
The Sun
07-08-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Electric air taxis in Japan by 2027 with ANA and Joby Aviation
TOKYO: Airline ANA announced plans to introduce electric air taxis in Japan as early as 2027. The initiative is a collaboration with US-based Joby Aviation. The joint venture aims to deploy over 100 five-seater aircraft for urban mobility. ANA President Koji Shibata called the project a revolution in air travel. Each aircraft will carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 200 mph. The service could drastically reduce travel time between Tokyo and Narita. Currently, the journey by car or train takes about an hour. The air taxi could shorten it to just 15 minutes. ANA has not yet disclosed pricing but aims to make the service affordable. A public demonstration is scheduled for October at the Osaka Expo. Joby Aviation CEO JoeBen Bevirt praised Japan as an ideal launchpad for air mobility innovation. The aircraft operates quietly with zero emissions. The project initially focuses on routes between Narita, Haneda, and Tokyo. Future expansion could include additional destinations. Joby's design allows vertical takeoff like a helicopter before transitioning to forward flight. This reduces noise and environmental impact. The announcement follows setbacks in the industry, including Volocopter's insolvency filing. The German startup had aimed for a 2025 launch. Volocopter faced delays after failing to secure engine certification in time for Paris Olympics test flights. The market remains competitive despite challenges. – AFP
Mint
07-08-2025
- Business
- Mint
No more traffic jams in Tokyo? ANA to launch electric flying taxis in Japan by 2027
Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) is preparing to introduce electric air taxis in Japan through a partnership with California-based start-up Joby Aviation, with operations targeted to begin as early as 2027. The two companies announced plans on Thursday to establish a joint venture that aims to deploy over 100 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The five-seater aircraft, intended to carry a pilot and up to four passengers, can travel at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour. According to ANA, the initial routes under consideration would connect major transport hubs such as Narita and Haneda airports with central Tokyo. Currently, these journeys typically take over an hour by train or car. The proposed air taxi service could cut this time to roughly 15 minutes. While pricing details have not yet been finalised, ANA told AFP that it hopes to make the service affordable to a broad range of passengers. The first public flight demonstration is expected to take place during the Osaka Expo in October 2025. The aircraft are designed to lift off vertically like helicopters before transitioning to forward flight, similar to aeroplanes. Joby Aviation has stated that its aircraft will operate with minimal noise and produce zero emissions while in use. Joby's founder and chief executive, JoeBen Bevirt, described Japan as a promising location for launching the next generation of air mobility, citing the country's combination of tradition and technological ambition. The announcement comes amid a mixed outlook for the emerging flying taxi sector. In December 2024, German start-up Volocopter filed for insolvency. The company had been developing a two-seater model called Volocity, which was due to debut in 2025. However, Volocopter was forced to cancel planned test flights during the Paris Olympics after failing to obtain the necessary certification for its aircraft engine in time. Another German firm, Lilium, narrowly avoided collapse around the same period after facing financial difficulties. The success of the ANA-Joby partnership will depend on several factors, including regulatory approvals, public acceptance, and the development of take-off and landing infrastructure across urban areas.
Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
New industry-first guidelines for air taxi, drone operations launched by regulators in Asia-Pacific
Find out what's new on ST website and app. In 2023, German firm Volocopter put its air taxi operations in Singapore on hold indefinitely as it could not secure enough funding. SINGAPORE – New industry safety standards for air taxi and drone operations in the Asia-Pacific were adopted by regulators in the region on July 14, a move that sets a foundation for the development of this nascent field. These new standards, which include the certification of air taxis and training of personnel, can be adapted and used by regulators in the region as they prepare for future commercial operations of drones and air taxis. Air taxies are a new form of air transport involving small aircraft that can take off and land vertically to transport passengers across short distances. Jointly developed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and 23 other regulators from the region, the guidelines are a first for the industry. In a July 17 statement, CAAS said the guidelines were launched on July 14 during the third meeting of Asia-Pacific regulators on advanced air mobility, after it was mooted during the event's inaugural run in November 2023. The meeting was also attended by senior representatives from 21 air taxi and drone companies, including Eve Air Mobility, Skyports and ST Engineering. CAAS noted that these guidelines will support industry development and accelerate safe adoption, as well as reduce regulatory risks and costs of air taxi and drone operations. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning Opinion The workplace needs to step up on mental health to match Singapore's efforts at the national level Business Market versus mission: What will Income Insurance choose? Singapore Singapore Zoo celebrates reptile baby boom, including hatchings of endangered species Life First look at the new Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa Business Singapore key exports surprise with 13% rebound in June amid tariff uncertainty Opinion AI and education: We need to know where this sudden marriage is heading Singapore Coffee Meets Bagel's Singpass check: Why I'll swipe right on that It added that these safety standards will help regulators keep pace with the development of new technologies in these nascent sectors, to leverage their economic benefits while ensuring aviation safety. They will also reduce regulatory uncertainty for firms developing technologies in these areas, said CAAS. At the meeting, CAAS and its regional counterparts discussed plans for the increased use of drones and the launch of air taxi operations over the next five years, as well as how countries can collaborate to allow these operations to take place. These guidelines were drafted after public and private consultations on the draft reference materials were conducted. CAAS said close to 600 pieces of feedback were collected from 48 respondents, before reference materials were finalised. CAAS noted that the group will submit these safety rules and standards to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as a reference point for global adoption. Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, said: 'The new guidelines have helped everyone to go in the same direction. 'To encourage people to use air taxis in the future, we need to make them confident (in air taxis) and know that they are safe.' Moving forward, Air Chief Marshal Manat said that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand just needs to follow the guidelines and adapt them accordingly to the domestic context. Mr Mark Yong, chief executive and co-founder of unmanned aircraft developer Garuda Robotics, said the new guidelines harmonised regulations across jurisdictions, and would save his firm time and effort taken to figure out rules in different countries. It would allow his company to deploy its technologies in many areas with minimal modifications, he said, While unmanned aircraft technologies have advanced significantly, Mr Yong said the industry needs to work on improving how regulations can keep up with such developments – such as the digitalisation of approval processes and the creation of more standardised pathways to determine risk levels. There is no Singapore-based electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft company. eVTOL refers to air taxis and unmanned aircraft systems, or drones. In 2023, German firm Volocopter put its air taxi operations in Singapore on hold indefinitely as it could not secure enough funding, after it went public with plans to launch a 15-minute air taxi flight in the Marina Bay area by around early to mid-2024.
Digital Trends
15-05-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
Archer's flying taxis head to LA for the 2028 Olympics
Remember the buzz about flying taxis zipping through Paris for the 2024 Olympics? That sci-fi fantasy never got off the ground —Germany's Volocopter dream was denied certification, leaving fans staring at the same old ground traffic. But now, the skies are opening again for a second shot at glory—this time over Los Angeles. Archer Aviation, the California-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) company, has been named the exclusive air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Recommended Videos Archer's Midnight aircraft, a piloted electric air taxi designed to carry four passengers, will be whisking around VIPs, fans, and stakeholders between venues and key locations like LAX, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and even Orange County. Think 10-20 minute flights that skip the infamous LA gridlock and land you right where the action is—on the roof, basically. 'We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of transportation in America. There's no better time to do that than during the LA28 Games,' said Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer Aviation. And Midnight isn't just a pretty rotor. It's a whisper-quiet, emission-light aircraft with 12 rotors and a redundant, airline-level safety design. What's more, Archer and LA28 are working together to electrify vertiport hubs around the city—think futuristic sky stations—to serve not only Games-time needs but also to plant seeds for a post-Olympic air mobility network. The air mobility market has been fast developing over the past few years, featuring the likes of Hyundai partnership with China's XPeng HT Aero and Toyota's backing of Joby Aviation, a U.S. venture. Joby bought Uber Elevate in 2020, hoping to someday pair its air taxis with Uber's ride-hailing app. Archer, for its part, has been busy building a strategic partnership with United Airlines, which has already placed orders for the aircraft and is helping with logistics to integrate air taxis into airport-to-downtown travel. More than a demo for the cameras, the LA28 partnership will showcase urban air travel for real-world daily use, starting with one of the most high-profile events on Earth. After raising false hopes in Paris, the air taxi dream is aiming for liftoff in LA—and this time, it might just stick the landing.
The National
22-02-2025
- Business
- The National
German air taxi developer Lilium files for insolvency again after funding options fail
German air taxi developer Lilium Aerospace has filed for insolvency for a second time, saying that it has failed to secure funding and casting doubt on its ability to fulfil orders. The company, which had initially entered administration in October, said in a brief statement that 'funding options to secure Lilium's future have not materialised in time', forcing it to file for insolvency. 'While talks about alternative solutions are still ongoing, the chance [of] restructuring right now is highly unlikely and therefore operations will be stopped,' the statement said. '[Given] the situation, this is deeply regretful for all employees and Lilium Aerospace thanks them for their resilience and dedication.' Lilium, based in Bavaria, has been developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jets, a new class of EV designed to take off, hover and land vertically, much like a helicopter. They are powered by electric propulsion systems, making them eco-friendly and quieter than helicopters. The company completed test flights of the world's first electric flying taxi jet in 2017. The eVTOL market was hyped for its capabilities and support for achieving sustainability goals, but some makers have hit turbulence. In December, air taxi maker Volocopter filed for bankruptcy, citing financial difficulties. The company, also based in Germany, plans to develop and enact a 'restructuring concept' by the end of February, it added. UK-based Vertical Aerospace sought emergency funding last year, shortly before Lilium's first insolvency. In November, Rolls-Royce pulled out of the electric flying taxi sector after chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic signalled the British engineering firm would focus on profitable contracts. It is unclear what Lilium's next steps are, or what the insolvency means for signed agreements to supply jets. In July last year, aviation conglomerate Saudia Group signed a binding agreement with Lilium to buy 50 eVTOLs. The agreement included an option to buy another 50 jets, and Saudia expected to receive the first jets in 2026. The jets would have had cabin capacity for up to six passengers, plus luggage room. That followed Saudia's initial agreement with Lilium, in October 2022, to buy 100 Lilium aircraft for its domestic network. Lilium had touted the 'tremendous opportunities' in the Middle East, particularly the GCC, where the development of megacities calls for ways to minimise traffic and slash carbon emissions. The company had made waves, earning backing from Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative Institute. In 2021 the institute invested in Lilium as part of a $3.3 billion transaction that helped the company list on the Nasdaq Composite in New York. Former Airbus chief executive Tom Enders joined Lilium's board in the same year.
