Air Taxis: The Latest on Electric Flying Cars That Make the Jetsons' Dream a Reality.
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The German air taxi manufacturer Lilium has announced that it is running out of funds and will cease its production of eVTOL aircraft. The company informed the U.S. SEC of its inability to secure financing to continue its operations and is heading toward insolvency. Lilium had begun assembling its first two electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Germany and was in the process of obtaining certification from the EASA and FAA, although it was not expected to make its first customer deliveries until 2026.
Meanwhile, the FAA has published new regulations for eVTOL vehicles, marking a step forward for the future of air transportation. These guidelines will allow for multiple services, including air taxis and rescue operations, and establish criteria for pilot training and operational requirements.
Toyota, for its part, has decided to invest an additional $500 million in Joby Aviation, an air taxi startup, to support its certification and commercial production. This amount adds to a total investment of $894 million since 2018, and a manufacturing partnership with Joby is expected to form.
Archer Aviation is also making progress and plans to launch an air mobility network in Los Angeles to combat traffic congestion. The company is preparing to operate its aircraft at various points in the city, with projected service to start in 2026.
Lilium has signed a binding sales agreement with Saudia Group to provide up to 100 eVTOL aircraft, which is part of its strategy to address transportation challenges in the region. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines has established an agreement with Archer to develop an air taxi service that will utilize aircraft capable of carrying four people.
It is also noteworthy that Archer has received its necessary certifications from the FAA to operate its on-demand air taxi service, getting closer to its commercial launch. In a similar move, Joby Aviation has acquired an autonomy division from Xwing to enhance its efforts toward autonomous flights in the future.
As several companies focus on advanced air mobility, a new bill from Congress could facilitate the operation of electric air taxis, benefiting companies like Joby and Archer.
In a show of confidence in the industry, Stellantis has made a significant investment in Archer for the mass production of its eVTOL vehicles, while other companies are exploring partnerships and new technological developments to advance air mobility, including projects from Airbus and Honda.
Finally, EHang in China has received certification to begin passenger testing on its E216-S, marking a breakthrough in air taxi commercial operations in the region.
