Flying taxis to debut at Paris Olympics amid European expansion
The French will test flying taxis at the Paris Olympics. "This is no longer just a vision on paper," emphasises Francisco Gomes Neto, CEO of Embraer, one of the companies aiming to conquer the mobility market of the future.
Francisco Gomes Neto, CEO of Embraer, introduced us to the vision of flying taxis. It's no longer just an idea on paper. They are still waiting for some components but are ready to build a new prototype and have its first flight by next year at the latest. They plan the market debut of EVE for the end of 2026.
Gomes calculates that the EVE company, 80% owned by Embraer, aims to generate $4 billion in revenue from flying taxi sales by 2030. The total market value from 2025 to 2040 is estimated at up to $80 billion.
Flying taxis getting closer
Boeing and its wholly-owned subsidiary Wisk are also working on flying taxis. In this case, they will be fully autonomous vehicles from the start. The company is cautious in its announcements. Brian Yutko, CEO of Wisk, said that certification plans are set for this decade. As he stated last year, they haven't given a specific year to act realistically, not aggressively.
Unlike civil aircraft, the market won’t be divided among the major players—Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer. New players from China will provide significant competition for aircraft manufacturers. It's not just about the technology, either.
David Shillday, vice president of Honeywell and in charge of the advanced aerial mobility sector, said the technology is ready today. Still, the law cannot keep up with it. He points out that someone else will profit if the European Union and the USA do not develop a regulatory environment. The Chinese EHang is already flying.
Embraer's CEO is not worried about the Chinese. "They only showcased one product, the EHang, but it’s a completely different solution from ours. It is a product for only one person, whereas the EVE will have seats for four passengers and a pilot. We don't see any threat from the Chinese," Francisco Gomes Neto told us.
One thing that connects solutions, such as those developed by EVE and Embraer or Wisk and Boeing, is that they do not need runways. They can take off and land even in city centres.
Flying taxis at the Paris Olympics. "For the first time in the world"
It was announced that flying taxis would be tested during the Olympic Games in Paris. Since the announcement a few years ago, the main question has been whether the necessary regulations would be adopted and whether the technology would be ready in time. The manufacturer is the German company Volocopter. It appears they have succeeded. In mid-June, the French government confirmed that flying taxis would be tested during the Olympic Games in Paris.
French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete does not like the term "flying taxis. In reality, he outlined, these are vehicles with 18 rotors that resemble small helicopters. We will use them experimentally in this role for the first time in the world.
The Olympic Games will take place from 26 July to 11 August. Four take-off and landing zones have been designated around Paris, and more will be established at Charles de Gaulle and Le Bourget airports. A floating platform on the Seine in the western part of the city will also serve as a landing site.
However, IAR points out that the French authorities are skeptical of the plan. Deputy Mayor of Paris Dan Lert explains that they are not convinced that passenger drones are an ecological and low-emission means of transport and that two-seater drones are a means of transportation for ultra-wealthy people who are always in a hurry.
