In 2024, Volocopter, a German start-up that makes electric flying taxis, wants to fly from Singapore to neighboring nations such as Indonesia and Malaysia for the first time.
Fares have yet to be determined, but according to Volocopter Chief Commercial Officer Christian Bauer, the company will initially operate 10 to 20 air taxis. The entire fleet will fly to major tourist spots in Singapore, including Marina Bay and Sentosa.
The airline's network will thereafter be expanded to include cross-border flights to Indonesia and Malaysia. By 2030, Volocopter plans to build four to six VoloPorts in Singapore. Marina South, Sentosa, and Changi are still being considered.
Volocopter is still working on getting accreditation from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, which will allow it to operate air taxis in Europe and Singapore.
However, tickets for a 15-minute electric flying taxi flight are currently being sold by the company.
“On the subject, if manufacturing, we have assessed that and we have the next 12 months to see if we can do it or if there is another potential,” Bauer stated in a statement published in the Hindustan Times on February 16th.
Volocopter also plans to open a maintenance operations center in Singapore as part of its Asian growth. In addition, the company will conduct a feasibility study in Asia for the production of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
Internal analyses reveal that, as the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), Volocopter's UAM services can generate a projected SGD 4.18 billion in cumulative economic benefits and 1,300 local jobs by 2030.
In a post-pandemic future, UAM will also function as an enabler for accomplishing the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and as an engine for economic growth.
In a customer survey conducted in Singapore, 72 percent of respondents expressed strong interest in traveling in a VoloCity.
“Basing our APAC headquarters in Singapore has enabled us to expand rapidly into other countries across the region."
"For example, we established a joint venture with Geely in China, joined the Osaka Roundtable in Japan, and conducted South Korea’s first crewed public air taxi test flights."
"We believe the launch of UAM in Singapore will truly enhance the Lion City’s position as one of the most innovative cities in the world,” commented Christian Bauer, Chief Commercial Officer of Volocopter.
Source: TechWireAsia.com, Volocopter.com, IndonesiaExpat.id
