Airbus’ CityAirbus: The Future of Urban Transportation

Several are currently in development across the world, but one company in particular is inching closer to take-off as Airbus flew its new ‘CityAirbus’ taxi in public for the first time last week.

A CityAirbus may not mean much to you now unless you’re an aviation expert. However, soon you might come to recognize the name as easily as Uber and Lyft. It refers to the flying taxi that Airbus is currently developing to allow for speedy and more direct air travel for passengers in major cities across the globe, bypassing bottlenecks and traffic jams to reach destinations such as airports and train stations swiftly.

Last week, Airbus conducted the eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft) demonstration in public for the first time, after more than 100 private test flights. This event took place at the company’s Donauwörth factory in . The vehicle is designed to comfortably carry four passengers, making it ideal for ridesharing, and can travel at speeds of up to 75 miles (120 km) per hour. Notably, the CityAirbus engine is fully electric and battery-powered, contributing to its environmentally friendly design. Additionally, its four-ducted propeller configuration significantly reduces noise compared to a conventional helicopter.

Although there is currently no confirmed date for when the CityAirbus will be in regular use, air taxi companies must complete extensive rounds of testing and obtain approvals from officials before they can take to the skies. When it does eventually launch, it will initially be pilot-operated. However, it is expected to evolve gradually into a fully-autonomous flight mode.

Airbus faces competition from other significant players in the industry, including , which announced its plans last year to expand its flying taxi service to Australia. Uber Air is anticipated to launch in 2023, with joining and as pilot locations for the service.