We thought the subject was definitely behind us, but clearly, Volocity, or “flying taxi,” still has plenty to say! While it submitted its balance sheet at the end of 2024, the German company Volocopter, which initiated the electric aircraft, has teamed up with the French company Jet Systems Helicopter Services (JSHS), as highlighted by our colleagues from Parisien.
In a move to advance #mobility and #sustainable air #transportation in #Paris, @volocopter and #Jet_Systems_Hélicoptères_Services are set to launch #eVTOL services.#UrbanAirMobility #SmartMobility #VoloCity #Volocopter #Francehttps://t.co/XCpEsGIiGn pic.twitter.com/t3454Kurfu
— Smart Cities World Forums (@smartcwf) February 20, 2025
Propose a Passenger Transport Service
The question of using these flying taxis has seen some back and forth. They were initially thought to be transportation means, but it was later suggested that they be used for "healthcare", only to once again be highlighted as a means of travel. "We will offer passenger transport services on a reliable and eco-friendly aircraft," revealed JSHS.
Volocopter and JSHS state in a press release that "services should start in Paris, where European and French authorities have."
a established and approved network of eVTOL flight routes and infrastructures ». When? That’s still a mystery. For now, no flights are scheduled in the region, although four vertiports are ready to welcome these vehicles in Île-de-France: in Saint-Cyr-l’École, Paris - Charles-de-Gaulle, Paris-Le Bourget, and at the heliport of Issy-les-Moulineaux.German #eVTOL developer #Volocopter partners with Jet Systems Helicopters Services to bring air taxis to France, starting in #Paris. pic.twitter.com/qUquEDbDB9
— Aurelien Sacaze (@AurelienSacaze) February 19, 2025
A Controversial Topic
Since the 2024 Paris Olympics, flying taxis have been making waves in the capital. They were supposed to soar over Paris during the sporting event, but these electric vehicles never took off last summer. On July 24, the creation of a vertiport at Paris Austerlitz was approved. However, this decision was eventually overturned by the Council of State last December. With the collaboration of two companies, the future of flying taxis is back on the table!
Now, we need to see if the Volocity will get certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is necessary for it to take flight. “It is impossible to determine a precise timeline for our certification, as the process is complex [...] and Volocopter is in the middle of an insolvency procedure, which will likely impact the progress of the process », shares the management of Volocopter.