B A C K C H A T
Your views
1.DO YOU EXPECT TO TRAVEL
IN AN AUTONOMOUS AIR
TAXI WITHIN YOUR LIFETIME?
Most readers believe
engineers will solve the
remaining technical
challenges for eVTOL
air taxis and would
then use them.
MAYBE 31%
74 | BU S INE S S A I R P O R T INT E RNAT I ONA L J U LY 2 0 1 9
AIR TAXIS: FRIEND OF FOE? One of the most important and exciting developments
in aviation is electric vertical take-off and landing
(eVTOL) aircraft. eVTOLs are being developed to carry
cargo and as urban air taxis.
Boeing is developing its Personal Air Vehicle and Airbus is
working on its Vahana drone. Both are making fast progress through
flight testing. Similar progress is being reported by the dozens of
smaller companies that are developing eVTOLs such as Ehang,
Volocopter and Lilium.
With the first flights for this new type of aircraft widely predicted
to happen by 2025, we asked you what you think air taxis’ impact
on business and private aviation might be? Or do you think they are
being overhyped?
Most readers take a
positive approach to
future technology and
welcome the change,
with most believing
it will open aviation
to a broader
customer base.
LACK OF
INFRASTRUCTURE 8%
Readers believe customers
will still want luxury when
traveling and that air taxis
will be more popular
for those using aviation
for convenience.
4. HAVE YOU DISCUSSED THE
POSSIBILITY OF SERVING AIR TAXIS
FROM YOUR AIRPORT OR FBO?
The overwhelming majority
of readers said it was far
too early to consider the
business case for air taxis,
although some said that
the first part of business
aviation to be affected will
be services that transport
VIPs by helicopter.
3. DO YOU SEE AIR TAXIS AS AN
OPPORTUNITY OR A THREAT
TO BUSINESS AVIATION?
OPPORTUNITY 52%
YES 8%
2. WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL
BE THE GREATEST BARRIER
TO THE USE OF AIR TAXIS?
NO 92%
LACK OF LUXURY
OPTIONS 38%
TECHNICAL
CHALLENGES 33%
HIGH COST
OF TRAVEL 21%
YES 50%
NO 19%
BOTH 29%
THREAT 19%