A prototype of the ‘CityAirbus’ air taxi shown at the Paris Air Show as a solution to the congestion when Paris hosts the Olympics in 2024.
But if Aeroports de Paris , Airbus and the RATP regional transport have their way passengers, right after their jets have taxied to a halt on the runway, will be able to take to the air once again with a self-flying urban taxi of the future. VTOL converts are already sprouting in number as the world looks to move beyond – or rather, above – today’s saturated motorways and growing environmental concerns.
The idea is to have the venue ready in 18 months, requiring infrastructure investment of some €10 million , says Arkwright. He adds the project will test out the link “via an existing helicopter corridor”.In order to make VTOL a reality by 2024, ADP is working alongside Airbus, which has for some years been involved in full electric propulsion urban mobility schemes.
“This partnership is a unique opportunity to develop technological solutions, a product, a regulatory framework, an economic model,” Faury added.“This project reduces constraints not only in terms of infrastructure but also concerning air traffic as it involves experimenting in a specific corridor,” said Jean-Louis Rassineux, head of aeronautics and defence issues for Deloitte.