How electric air taxis could shake up the airline industry in the next decade
A world with flying vehicles, like the 1960s sitcom The Jetsons, might be closer than you think. Companies across the US, including several startups, are developing electric air taxis that aim to take cars off the road and put people in the sky. Commercial airlines, specifically, are investing in this type of technology to make trips to and from the airport shorter and faster for consumers. In October, Delta joined the list of airlines backing EV technology startups, with a $60m investment in Joby Aviation, a company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), intended to operate as an air taxi service. In 2021, when Joby announced its plan to launch its Uber-like air taxis by 2024, it generated criticism from industry analysts on the ability to launch by that date. But Delta’s investment in Joby is a five-year partnership to operate eVTOLs exclusively in Delta’s network. United Airlines is also partnering with a Swedish-based startup, Heart Aerospace, to have electric aircraft flying regional routes by 2030, adding to two other eVTOL investments from the airline. One is for $15m with Eve Air Mobility for 200 aircraft, and another for $10m with Archer Aviation for 100 eVTOLs. American Airlines invested $25m in Vertical Aerospace, a UK-based company, with an order for 50 aircraft. While major airlines enter agreements with global startups, it’s important to remember these are conditional. It depends on the certification of these aircraft and how fast companies can manufacture them, said Savanthi Syth, managing director of equity research, covering global airlines and mobility at Raymond James. Once these aircraft get certified and start ramping up production, Syth said the potential market size largely depends on how close companies can get eVTOLs to where consumers are. “Initially, eVTOLs are supposed to replace your personal car,” Syth said. “But it’s going to be different for people, based on where eVTOLs are going to be.”<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2022-12-05/general/how-electric-air-taxis-could-shake-up-the-airline-industry-in-the-next-decade
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How electric air taxis could shake up the airline industry in the next decade
A world with flying vehicles, like the 1960s sitcom The Jetsons, might be closer than you think. Companies across the US, including several startups, are developing electric air taxis that aim to take cars off the road and put people in the sky. Commercial airlines, specifically, are investing in this type of technology to make trips to and from the airport shorter and faster for consumers. In October, Delta joined the list of airlines backing EV technology startups, with a $60m investment in Joby Aviation, a company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), intended to operate as an air taxi service. In 2021, when Joby announced its plan to launch its Uber-like air taxis by 2024, it generated criticism from industry analysts on the ability to launch by that date. But Delta’s investment in Joby is a five-year partnership to operate eVTOLs exclusively in Delta’s network. United Airlines is also partnering with a Swedish-based startup, Heart Aerospace, to have electric aircraft flying regional routes by 2030, adding to two other eVTOL investments from the airline. One is for $15m with Eve Air Mobility for 200 aircraft, and another for $10m with Archer Aviation for 100 eVTOLs. American Airlines invested $25m in Vertical Aerospace, a UK-based company, with an order for 50 aircraft. While major airlines enter agreements with global startups, it’s important to remember these are conditional. It depends on the certification of these aircraft and how fast companies can manufacture them, said Savanthi Syth, managing director of equity research, covering global airlines and mobility at Raymond James. Once these aircraft get certified and start ramping up production, Syth said the potential market size largely depends on how close companies can get eVTOLs to where consumers are. “Initially, eVTOLs are supposed to replace your personal car,” Syth said. “But it’s going to be different for people, based on where eVTOLs are going to be.”<br/>
