UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK transport minister Mike Kane says flying taxis could be in operation by 2028, backed by £20m government funding to accelerate drone and aviation innovations.
As reported by The Independent, a transport minister announced that the UK could see flying taxis operating by 2028.
What did Mike Kane say about UK flying taxi plans and £20M funding boost?
Mike Kane said the government is committed to “maximise the benefits of future flight technologies, including flying taxis.”
Alice Macdonald, Labour MP for Norwich North, spoke about a Norwich airport plan aiming to make East Anglia a hub for aviation innovation and urged the minister to take an electric plane flight.
Mr Kane responded,
“This Government wants to see the UK maximise the benefits of future flight technologies including flying taxis, both for the economy and for communities.”
He said,
“We recently announced over £20 million of government funding to the CAA and the Future Flight Challenge to deliver the future flight programme this year.”
Mr Kane added,
“This joint programme between industry, Government and the CAA will enhance drone capability by 2027 and flying taxis by 2028 in the UK skies. I would be delighted to visit her and Norwich, the airport in her constituency.”
What did Gareth Bacon say about the Employment Rights Bill and travel disruption?
Tory shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon suggested the Government’s Employment Rights Bill could “threaten passengers’ abilities to travel without disruption or additional costs”.
He added,
“The Employment Rights Bill reduces the required notice period for strike action in any industry from 14 days to 10 days, increasing the risk of last-minute cancellations, which could in theory cost airlines tens of millions of pounds, which could in turn lead to higher costs for passengers as airlines pass the expenses on to the travelling public.”
Mr Kane replied,
“This Government will always put passengers first. That’s why more passengers than ever are flying in our skies and leaving our airports.”
What did Labour MP Graham Stringer say about abolishing air passenger duty?
Graham Stringer, Labour MP, urged the government to scrap air passenger duty immediately.
He stated,
“Every study shows that the cost of the tax, or the revenue generated from the tax, is much less than the benefit of abolishing the tax.”
Mr Stringer added,
“Will he and the Secretary of State go and try and talk some sense into the Chancellor of the Exchequer and their officials to get rid of this tax and benefit both aviation and the economy?”
Mr Kane stated airport passenger duty is “part of a rich mix of the aviation tapestry”, adding that “most airports and airlines are seeing demand go through the roof.”
What did the government announce to boost drones and flying taxis?
The government pledged £20 million in funding to support drone and flying taxi services last month.
The Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority will receive support from a new Regulatory Innovation Office, focused on speeding up public access to new technology.
What is Joby Aviation planning with Virgin Atlantic in the UK?
In March, US-based Joby Aviation teamed up with Virgin Atlantic to launch electric air taxis.
The initiative aims to introduce sustainable, short-distance flights starting from Heathrow and Manchester airports.
Joby’s electric air taxi reaches speeds of 200mph. It runs on electric power and produces zero emissions. The vehicle carries five people in total, including the pilot.
Countries with active flying taxi programs
- United States
- Companies like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are testing eVTOLs, with plans for commercial launches by 2025–2026 137.
- Partnerships with airlines (e.g., United, Delta) for airport transfers in cities like NYC and Chicago 17.
- China
- EHang received the world’s first certification for pilotless passenger eVTOLs, with tourist routes launching in Guangzhou and Hefei by mid-2025 8.
- Xpeng AeroHT plans mass production by 2026 8.
- Germany
- Volocopter aims to launch services in Paris (2024 Olympics) and expand to Germany, pending EASA certification 210.
- France
- Volocopter’s VoloCity targets Paris for initial operations 2.
- United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
- Expected to be among the first with commercial eVTOL services, potentially by late 2025 16.
- United Kingdom
- Vertical Aerospace is developing the VX4, aiming for certification by 2025 24.
- Japan
- SkyDrive plans to debut its SD-05 flying car at the 2025 Osaka Expo 9.
- Brazil
- Embraer is investing in eVTOL technology, though timelines are less clear