Paris will begin testing electric air taxis at a new test site outside the French city, with the objective of developing at least two flight paths for Olympic passengers during the 2024 summer games. The first Olympic route will connect Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Le Bourget airports, while the second would connect two Paris neighborhoods.
Around 30 firms responded to the invitation to test various components of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, as well as the infrastructure necessary to operate a safe airport for them.
The airfield near Paris has already been upgraded to incorporate a landing and take-off zone, taxiways, parking areas, and warehouse layout. It has already conducted flying tests with a drone carrying medical supplies such as blood bags and health kits, as well as collision avoidance and charging devices.
The project will bring together aerospace companies such as Volocopter GmbH, Airbus SE, Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd, and Lilium NV.
According to Bloomberg, 65 flying taxi hubs have been planned for cities like London and Los Angeles in September. The first location is planned for England in 2022. Soon eVTOLs will be transporting passengers, medical supplies, and freight everyday through airspace.
Reference- Bloomberg, Futurism, GROUPE ADP Press Release, National Geographic