Aviation company shows off electric air taxis in New York, targeting 2025 launch date

Reuters|Published 1 year ago

An electric air taxi by Joby Aviation sits at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in Manhattan, New York City, US, November 12, 2023. Picture: Reuters, Roselle Chen

By Roselle Chen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Electric air taxis could be transporting passengers from JFK Airport to downtown Manhattan by 2025 - on quiet, emissions-free journeys that take around seven minutes.

Manufacturer Joby Aviation carried out an exhibition flight at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in New York on Sunday, the city's first-ever electric air taxi flight and the first time Joby has flown in an urban setting.

The craft can recharge in about five minutes, while passengers are unloading and boarding, said CEO JoeBen Bevirt. The idea is that travellers will book their trip, similar to a rideshare app.

An electric air taxi by Joby Aviation flies near the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in Manhattan, New York City, US, November 12, 2023. Picture: Reuters, Roselle Chen

The company aims to begin commercial passenger service in 2025 and is in the third of five stages of certification with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The cost of booking a trip has yet to be confirmed but the company has previously said it will likely be comparable to a rideshare in a car.

– REUTERS