Nearly two out of three consumers will fly in air taxis, once electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are approved and commercially viable, according to new research.
The study, by Horizon Aircraft, found that 65% of adults will fly in eVTOL air taxis once they are approved by regulators in their own country, while 61% are willing to use them in other approved countries.
People in the UAE (87%) and India (82%) are the most likely to try air taxis following approval, while South Africans (88%) are the most positive about other countries.
According to the survey which covered 10 countries across North America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Asia, only 16% of respondents would not fly in air taxis. With one in five (20%) unsure of the new air transport mode.
Safety issues were a key concern of those questioned with three out of four (76%) of saying worries about eVTOL safety would be the biggest deterrent for using air taxis. While 69% would want reassurances about the training of pilots.
Less than half (47%) would be worried about the cost of flights, with 38% quoting comfort during flights as a concern and 43% worried about the environmental impact.
Horizon added its research shows widespread support globally for the development of the eVTOL industry and its potential impact on jobs and investment. Around 77% questioned believe the development of the sector is positive.
Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft, said: “There is strong support for the concept of air taxis and the eVTOL market in general worldwide, people are keen to use the aircraft, and very positive about the development of the sector.
“That is reflected in the growing investment in eVTOL market with US$900m (£636.8m) invested in the urban air mobility market in the first six months of 2020 and forecasts of much more investment in the coming years.
“The challenge for the industry is designing aircraft which are commercially viable and which, most importantly, meet the highest standards of safety to meet passenger expectations.”
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