Are Air Taxis Coming to Columbus?

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology is pushing ahead in multiple countries, including the United States,  and could be coming to Columbus as well. British airline Virgin Atlantic signed a definitive multi-year agreement this summer with Joby Aviation to introduce electric air taxis in the United Kingdom. This agreement integrates Joby’s air taxi services into Virgin Atlantic’s booking channels for the near future. This will allow travelers to book seamless connections between long-haul flights and short electric air taxi flights.

A similar partnership is also in the works between Rio Bravo Air and Augusta Regional Airport. Rio Bravo Air, a private air charter service based at Augusta Regional, has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 5 electric-powered aircraft currently being produced by SkyDrive, a Tokyo-based Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company. This would open the door for air taxi services to begin in Augusta in the near future. 

What does this mean for Columbus?

Columbus City Council approved initiatives this summer to fund the construction of electric charging stations and a dedicated vertiport for the takeoff and landing of eVTOL aircraft at the Columbus Airport in 2027. These charging stations will serve eVTOL aircraft, like the ones developed by Joby Aviation. As eVTOL accommodations are developed in Columbus, it would put the city at the forefront of AAM innovations and deployment in the United States. The use of electric air taxis can reduce traffic congestion around the airport and effectively speed up travel times for short-distance travel. With flying ranges between 150 and 200 miles, eVTOL aircraft will change how people travel to nearby destinations and even within cities themselves.

Learn more about how Columbus is staying at the cutting edge of aviation technology.