SEOUL | By the end of next year, it will be possible to take an affordable flying taxi in Seoul.
You read correctly. Already among the world leaders in transport, South Korea presented its roadmap for innovative mobility in 2022. This includes self-driving cars and “aerial urban mobility” (MUA), or flying taxis.
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“Initially it will be a helicopter system that will operate on restricted routes, but as it develops, we anticipate that the MUA will be used for offices and residences, through a service on call,” says Seung-Wook Choi, director of the MUA division of Korea’s Ministry of Transport, Land and Infrastructure.
The flying taxis will land in “vestiports”, on the roofs of buildings, for example. It will cost 3,000 Korean won per kilometer ($3.05 CAD) initially.
Image taken from a video courtesy of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of Korea
Private enterprise
Air taxis will be operated by the private sector and supervised by the government. The aircraft will be operated by a pilot and will circulate in pre-established and fixed corridors. They will land in “vestiports”, on the roofs of buildings, for example. It will cost 3,000 Korean won per kilometer ($3.05 CAD) initially.
“Fares will be more expensive at first, so demand will come from business people, tourists and airport customers.”
From the end of 2025, flying taxis will operate in Seoul. Initially, they will be used by tourists, business people and airport customers.
Image taken from a video courtesy of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of Korea
Autonomous flights
Over time, it is hoped to reduce the price to 1,000 won per kilometer (C$1.42), as flights become autonomous in the future.
“When the market grows, economies of scale will be achieved and labor costs will be significantly reduced thanks to autonomous flights and innovative technologies,” says Choi. We anticipate that we will be able to democratize this means of transport for the public when it reaches maturity, around 2035.
Everything is governed by the strictest security rules, assures the ministry.
From the end of 2025, flying taxis will operate in Seoul.
Image taken from a video courtesy of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of Korea
The Korean government is then considering expanding the use of flying taxis to other cities in the country as well as to isolated areas or for emergency medical services.
“Korea is actively preparing for the future with innovative means of transportation,” adds Choi. Central and local governments, industry, research institutes and professional groups are involved in the deployment of this “means of transport high-tech of the future,” underlines the ministry.