An all-electric air taxi, developed by Joby Aviation in partnership with Virgin Atlantic, is being showcased at Media City in Salford Quays, offering a glimpse of a future where a journey from Manchester Airport to the city centre could take just five minutes, with prices comparable to an Uber Exec.
UK Tour and Demonstrations
The aircraft, which resembles a helicopter-sized drone, has been stationed in the Piazza at Media City for two days. It has completed a mini-tour of the UK this summer, appearing at Tower Bridge in London and at the Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire in July.
Joby has completed piloted test-runs in the US, with more than 50,000 hours of test flights. In April, it completed the first-ever point-to-point air taxi demonstration flights in New York City's history. Later this year, it will carry passengers in New York, Texas, and Florida, with rides in the United Arab Emirates set to follow.
Certification and Operation
The air taxi is in the final stages of certification by the US Federal Aviation Authority. Once successful, the UK Civil Aviation Authority will need to validate the certification for operation in the UK. Approval pending, it could be available to travellers within a few years.
Max Coppin, UK lead for Joby, explained that the air taxi takes off like a helicopter but flies like a plane. It has four propellers that can be positioned vertically or horizontally, each with two motors. The aircraft is powered by four cross-wired batteries. It has undergone stringent testing, and the dual motors ensure the propellers can still operate if one motor fails, and the aircraft can fly if one propeller fails.
Passenger Experience and Costs
The air taxi is piloted and seats four passengers, with room for light hand luggage. It is designed to be quiet at around 45 decibels, roughly the level of wind in trees. It can reach speeds of up to 200 mph and cover a distance of 100 miles.
Coppin told the Manchester Evening News: “We’re hoping to bring aerial ride sharing to the UK and to Manchester and the Northwest. It will be bookable through an app, ultimately in the same way that you can book a book ride sharing today.”
He added: “We have four passengers and a pilot and room for bags on board. And we'll be able to take you from the centre of Manchester to the Airport in 5 minutes or so rather than 45 and across the Northwest. Journeys will be minutes not hours.”
The aircraft will require vertiports for take-off and landing, potentially at airports or developed sites such as the top of shopping malls in the US. Charging the batteries should take around 20 minutes. Joby is considering London and Manchester as key locations, given their airports and connectivity. Virgin Atlantic has bases in both Heathrow and Manchester, providing established customer bases.
Joby plans to work alongside public transport authorities to fill gaps in the market, aiming to complement existing infrastructure. The service will be bookable via Uber, with prices in the 'Uber Exec' range. Fares could fluctuate, but this roughly equates to £120 from Heathrow Airport to central London and £40 from Manchester Airport to Salford Quays.
A journey may involve a car and air taxi: an Uber picks you up, drives you to the vertiport, and you board the air taxi. The goal is a seamless, fingertip booking experience, accessible to many, not just the one per cent. A key benefit is predictability, as it won't be affected by traffic.
Operational Limits and Green Credentials
Currently, the air taxi operates under visual flight rules (VFR), meaning the pilot relies on sight, limiting operations to clear weather. Over time, it's hoped the air taxi can operate in more challenging conditions.
The air taxi is charged with renewable energy, and the firm has advanced sustainability commitments from manufacturing to operation.
So one day you could order an air taxi with a tap on your phone and fly across Manchester in minutes. Until then, an ordinary car will have to suffice.
