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There won't actually be flying taxis in Paris after all

undefined undefined 19 décembre 2024 undefined 12h00

undefined undefined 19 décembre 2024 undefined 15h14

The Editor

©Capture d'écran Volocopter

We searched the skies this summer for those famous flying taxis we've heard so much about... and nothing. While the project has faced many setbacks, on December 18, the Council of State annulled the ministerial order allowing the creation of a "vertiport" at Austerlitz.

We believed it for a while, but it was just too good to be true. This summer, the term "flying taxi" was on everyone's lips since the promise was to roll out these quirky modes of transport for the 2024 Paris Olympics. On July 24th, the Council of State had authorized the creation of a "vertiport" near Paris Austerlitz through a ministerial decree, but on Wednesday, December 18th, it reversed its decision, thus no longer allowing the installation of this hub for the flying taxis.


The Council of State sides with the petitioners

While the project was defended by the ADP Group and the German manufacturer Volocopter, it was highly controversial and faced many setbacks. Following the green light given by the Council of State last July, the high administrative court was seized in reference by the City of Paris, the French Union against aircraft noise (UFCNA) , and other associations fighting against air nuisance. What was the argument? The lack of authorization from the Noise Regulation Authority (Acnusa), which was not consulted as required by French law. Thus, the Council of State ultimately ruled in favor of the petitioners.


An ambitious project put on hold

This project goes back to January 2021, when RATP, Paris Airports, and Choose Paris Region revealed the identity of the 31 players who were set to “develop a sector for urban air mobility centered around the vertical takeoff vehicle.” These machines, sitting at the crossroads of a bus, a drone, and a helicopter, are topped with 18 propellers and operate on electricity or hydrogen. The goal was to achieve a speed of 110 km/h, with a range of 30 kilometers.

For now, flying taxis will remain in the realm of science fiction!