South Korea’s Ministry of Transport has launched an air taxi that will link Gimpo Airport to downtown Seoul. Commercial flights will begin in 2025 and will be powered by the same aircraft as at Fiumicino, Rome’s airport, made by the German startup Volocopter.
The presentation at Seoul Airport was somewhat different from the presentation in Rome: it was devoted not just to air taxi, but to the city air transport management system. It is assumed that air taxis will fly not only to the city center, but also between three Seoul airports – Gimpo, Incheon and Seongnam. Tests have shown that airport dispatchers are quite capable of controlling flights of low-flying air taxis.
South Korean Transport Minister Roh Hyun Ouk explained that since urban air travel should become as commonplace as other forms of urban transport, it is imperative to test air taxi now – and in a variety of circumstances.
The air taxi produced by the German startup Volocopter is designed for two passengers and a pilot. It can fly in unmanned mode, but South Korean officials say it’s too early for passengers.
At the same presentation, South Korean developers showed their own version of the air taxi. It differs from the German one primarily in its carrying capacity: it can carry five passengers.
The Koreans have already announced the price for the first stage of air taxi development. It will cost approximately $ 93 for a flight from the airport to the city center.
In Rome, where the price of a flight from Fiumicino airport to the center was also announced, it is almost twice as high – 150 euros, or about $ 180.
Based on materials
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