Tue 16 January 2024:

Saudi Arabia is planning to launch air taxis to transport pilgrims for the Islamic Hajj and umrah pilgrimages, in the latest innovative technological development to be implemented in the Kingdom.

According to the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA), authorities will enable the operation of air taxis to transport pilgrims from King Abdulaziz Airport in the coastal city of Jeddah to hotels in the Islamic holy city of Makkah. The logistics of the air taxis’ flights will reportedly be handled by Saudia, the Kingdom’s national airline.

The flying taxi will be used in new projects in Saudi Arabia, such as Neom and AlUla, and will enter the kingdom’s market next year. Photo: Saudi Future

The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have been developed by the Volocopter company and Saudi authorities in recent years, and are set to serve as a less expensive, more versatile, and environmentally-friendly alternative to other forms of transportation and aircraft, such as helicopters.

Air taxi test flights have already been conducted last year in the developing Saudi megacity project of Neom, which – in cooperation with Volocopter – is set to use similar aircraft for urban transport in the near future.

The use of the innovate form of transport for the Hajj and umrah pilgrimages was reportedly announced last year by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport, Saleh Bin Nasser Al Jasser, who said that the aircraft would be tested in coming years specifically for those purposes.

Flying taxis in AlUla and Neom by 2026

The flying taxi will enter the market by 2026, and will be used in major protects such as the futuristic city of Neom and the historic tourist site AlUla, Saudia Airlines announced on Monday.

The plan for Neom envisages residents living in communities without cars, with public transport and autonomous vehicles the main forms of travel.

Flying taxis will be one form of transport available, according to Neom’s plans.

Pioneering flying taxi firm Volocopter has announced a joint venture with NEOM, a sustainable city development in Saudi Arabia, to build and operate the "world's first public vertical mobility system".

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“That includes high-speed public transit, shared electric and autonomous mobility, but also electric urban air mobility – electric vertical take off and landing aircraft – that can take people and connect them to this wonderful environment that we have in Neom, greatly reducing the need for roads and surface mobility,” Florian Lennert, head of mobility at Neom, said in an official statement.

In the race for air mobility, Saudi Arabia is working to meet the sustainable goals listed under the kingdom’s Vision 2030 development plan.

The kingdom aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 by reducing carbon emissions, investing in new energy sources, and developing a carbon capture and storage programme.

In 2021, Neom and German company Volocopter established a joint venture to scale advanced air mobility.

They successfully tested the flying taxis last year.

Volocopter aircraft will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, generated by solar and wind energy sources.

“The successful test flight of a Volocopter eVTOL is a tangible example of Neom as a global accelerator and incubator of solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges,” Nadhmi Al Nasr, chief executive of Neom, said in a statement:

“Driving the development of smart, sustainable and safe mobility systems will improve livability and connectivity in cities around the world and reduce carbon emissions, creating a cleaner future for all.”

Volocopter expects to obtain certification of its VoloCity air taxi in 2024, Neom officials said.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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