Flying taxis ‘could link city to capital for price of an Uber fare’
AN entrepreneur who founded Bristol utility company, Ovo, continues with plans to pioneer a new air taxi service which could connect the city to London’s Heathrow Airport.
Stephen Fitzpatrick’s Vertical Aerospace could offer air taxi fares for the price of an Uber trip, at around £50 per head according to the Daily Mail.
The nationwide project, masterminded by VA, will run between numerous UK cities, including Liverpool, Hull and Cardiff.
A journey from Heathrow to Cambridge would take 28 minutes and cost £58, compared with £102 for a 90-minute taxi.
The project is part of a joint partnership between Vertical Aerospace, Virgin Atlantic and Heathrow airport.
Heathrow is exploring how Vertical’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft could fit into its airlines’ flight schedules and help ease congestion on surrounding roads.
The transport will also produce 5kg of carbon per passenger on a 90-mile flight, compared with 11kg for an electric vehicle and 38kg for petrol cars.
So called ‘Vertiports’ for the taxis could be based at airports, rural airfields, motorway service stations or on the rooftops of train stations.
Mr Fitzpatrick said: “This new generation aircraft bridges the gap between communities separated by inconvenient public transport or impassable terrain.
“Because, unlike helicopters, they are safe, clean and quiet, they will deliver huge benefits for densely populated cities too – more convenience and less congestion.”
The crafts will be able to travel at more than 100mph, making the journeys nearly three times quicker than that of a car.
Virgin Atlantic, which has ordered 150 of the battery powered planes, could prompt a following from other airlines as they look to cut carbon emissions.
Company documents show the expected fare for a 50-minute trip from Liverpool to Hull is £112 and a 41-minute flight from Cardiff to Plymouth would cost £89.
Because, unlike helicopters, they are safe, clean and quiet, they will deliver huge benefits for densely populated cities too - more convenience and less congestion
Stephen Fitzpatrick