Flying taxis could be on the horizon in three years

A growing number of companies are developing eVTOLs, or electric-powered vertical take-off taxis, the BBC reported. A report estimates that by 2040, 430,000 such vehicles could be in circulation worldwide. The development of drones capable of transporting goods is already at an advanced stage, with this market segment predicted to be worth $5.6 billion by 2028.

If cities’ airspace is to be shared by drones, flying cars and flying taxis, it will be inevitable that cities will build many mini-airports, or “skyports”. For example, a Californian company called Joby Aviation has already carried out more than a thousand test flights with its eVTOL vehicle. If they receive approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), commercial flights could start as early as 2024. The company’s vehicle will be able to carry four passengers and travel at speeds of 322 kilometres per hour.