Move FM Global News

WASHINGTON D.C.: The Biden administration has announced the formation of an interagency team that will draft a national strategy for, among others, flying taxis.

Low-altitude urban air mobility aircraft has drawn intense global interest, with numerous companies specializing in electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which have been touted as the future of urban air mobility.

The team includes staff from NASA, the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Communications Commission, said the US Transportation Department.

Last year, the FAA issued a proposal to update its air carrier definition to add “powered-lift” operations to regulations covering other commercial operations, such as airlines, charters and air tours, while this month it issued an “updated blueprint” for airspace and other changes to accommodate future air taxis.

According to the blueprint, air taxi operations will begin at a low rate, similar to helicopters and, using existing routes and infrastructure, such as helipads and vertiports, the agency said.

It is separately developing a powered-lift operations rule for certifying pilots and operating requirements, which is to be published this summer.

The agency does not expect the first air taxis to begin commercial operations until late 2024 or early 2025, said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen.

In order to avoid road traffic, airlines and other companies are also developing transport services using battery-powered aircraft, which can take off and land vertically to ferry travelers to airports or for short city trips.