Saudi-backed air taxi firm eyes take-off at Paris Olympics in 2024 – Arabian Business

Saudi-backed air taxi firm eyes take-off at Paris Olympics in 2024 – Arabian Business

France opened a hub for testing electric air taxis as it seeks to introduce the world’s first service with the new category of aircraft in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Aeroports de Paris, which runs the French capital’s major airports, will operate the facility alongside UK-based Skyports Ltd., a leading developer of so-called vertiports, as flying-taxi bases have been termed.

The hub at Pontoise Cormeilles aerodrome, unveiled Thursday, combines a passenger terminal, take-off and landing area, mission control zone and hangar, all as close as possible to the configuration envisaged for 2024.

Volocopter air taxi at launch event

As part of the launch, Volocopter, a Saudi-backed developer of electric air taxis carried out a flight integrated into conventional air traffic. Volocopter air taxis could become an everyday sight over NEOM in Saudi Arabia.