Imagine this: it’s 2030, and instead of sitting in Jakarta’s traffic jam or sweating through Saigon’s motorbike maze, you’re gliding above the chaos in a quiet electric flying car, sipping kopi while gazing at the skyline. Far-fetched? Not anymore.
Around the world, flying cars—technically known as eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft)—are zooming from sci-fi dreams into reality. But what’s the story in Southeast Asia? Are countries in this region gearing up for liftoff, or are they still stuck on the runway?
Let’s take a spin through five countries to see who’s leading, who’s catching up, and who’s still checking the flight manual.
1. Singapore: The Regional Front-Runner
When it comes to tech and transport innovation, Singapore doesn’t just dip its toes—it cannonballs in. Back in 2019, the city-state teamed up with Volocopter, a German flying car company, to conduct one of Asia’s first urban flight tests using a two-seater eVTOL.
The flight took place over Marina Bay, and while it lasted only two minutes, it made history. Since then, Singapore has mapped out potential air routes, studied urban air mobility (UAM) integration, and explored air traffic control for low-flying electric vehicles.
And the future? Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority has been working on air mobility blueprints, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is collaborating with global partners to shape certification frameworks.
Verdict: Clear skies ahead. Expect pilot projects and tourism-focused routes as early as 2026.
2. Malaysia: Big Ambitions, but Grounded (for Now)
Malaysia made headlines in 2019 when it unveiled a prototype of a “flying car” at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition. The buzz was real—but the prototype turned out to be more drone than car, leading to public skepticism and a fair amount of online roasting.
Still, Malaysia hasn’t given up. The Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) has been actively exploring urban air mobility, and local startups like Aerodyne Group—a global drone company based in Kuala Lumpur—are eyeing the skies for potential passenger services in the long run.
There’s even talk of collaborating with EHang, the Chinese autonomous flying vehicle firm already certified for limited use in China.
Verdict: Aspirational. Malaysia has potential, but needs stronger technical grounding and regulatory traction before liftoff.
3. Indonesia: Big Skies, Bigger Dreams
With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia might just be flying car paradise—a country where hopping from city to jungle to coast could be way more efficient by air. And here’s the twist: the idea is no longer hypothetical.
In 2024, Indonesia successfully tested a prototype called SkyTaxi in Samarinda, East Kalimantan—just a short flight from Nusantara, the nation’s new capital-in-the-making. This hybrid flying vehicle, developed in partnership with Hyundai and South Korea’s aerospace institute, reached 50 km/h at 50 meters altitude during its debut flight.
The plan? By 2029, flying taxis are expected to begin commercial operations in Nusantara as part of its vision to be a smart, green city. The roadmap includes:
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2024–2025: Proof-of-concept and joint policy studies
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2026–2028: Development of an R&D center and business models
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2029: Launch of actual flying taxi services
In short: Indonesia isn’t just thinking about flying cars—it’s designing an entire capital city around them.
Verdict: From dreams to deadlines. With Nusantara in the spotlight, flying cars in Indonesia are getting a runway—literally and figuratively.
4. Philippines: Testing the Waters with Drones
Manila’s traffic is legendary—for all the wrong reasons. So yes, the Philippines has shown curiosity about flying cars, mostly through its booming drone industry and tech accelerators.
While there’s no active homegrown eVTOL manufacturer yet, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has funded some local drone research, and the AirAsia Group has floated ideas about investing in air taxi technology across Southeast Asia—potentially including the Philippines.
Regulations for drones are well established, which is a good first step. Expanding those into eVTOL frameworks is the logical next move.
Verdict: Cautious optimism. Flying taxis could be the future of island-to-island travel—if the groundwork is laid soon.
5. Vietnam: Gearing Up with Quiet Moves
Vietnam isn’t making big headlines (yet), but it’s quietly building the pieces. Startups like Viettel Aerospace Institute are working on autonomous drones for delivery and surveillance, and there’s growing interest in tech-powered transport.
In 2024, Vietnam hosted demonstrations by international eVTOL developers looking for future markets. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has begun initial studies on integrating flying vehicles into controlled airspace.
And let’s not forget: Vietnam’s economy is booming, its cities are choking in traffic, and its population is highly mobile. That’s a recipe for eVTOL demand.
Verdict: The quiet contender. Vietnam may surprise us with early adopters of air taxi routes by 2027–2028.
So… Will Flying Cars Zoom Over Us Soon?
Flying cars aren’t science fiction anymore. Around the world, they’re being certified, tested, and even pre-ordered. In Southeast Asia, the timeline isn’t “next year,” but it’s also no longer “maybe in 50 years.”
Expect test flights, tourism shuttles, and pilot programs by 2025–2027 in cities like Singapore and Nusantara. But mass adoption will need more than cool tech—it’ll require public trust, airspace safety, smart regulation, and, yes, places to park these things in the sky.
One thing’s for sure: the next time someone complains about Jakarta traffic or Manila gridlock, you might just smile and say, “I’ll take the air route.”
