Two stories within the last few days reveal a fast-coming future, Air Taxis. Air Taxis will be innovative, changing how many will get around major metros, at first.
Joby teams up with airline ANA to bring flying taxis to Japan [Japan Times]
Joby and ANA Holdings Inc. will work together to bring aerial ridesharing to Japan for the first time, according to a statement Monday. Toyota Motor Corp. will join the partnership and focus on ground-based transport.
The move reflects Joby’s strategy to team up with local companies to launch its service in markets outside the U.S., the company said. The startup and the airline will work together on infrastructure development, pilot training, flight operations and air-traffic management.
Electric-air taxis are coming closer to reality as the first wave of designs reach maturity and developers turn to the market for funding. A wave of deals with airlines and lessors in the sector over the past year means competition is heating up to ink agreements.
AirAsia To Offer Low-Cost Helicopter Ride-Sharing In Southeast Asia [Invest Vine Asia]
Malaysia’s low-cost airline group AirAsia announced on February 16 that it plans to offer budget ride-sharing for vertical take-off and landing helicopters on selected market in Southeast Asia as early as 2025.
The group, meanwhile part of a more diversified aviation, e-commerce and lifestyle holding called “Capital A” led by AirAsia founder Tony Fernandes, said it plans to use battery-powered aircraft produced by UK-based electric aviation startup Vertical Aerospae and lease them from Irish aircraft lessor Avolon.
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