UAE most likely to use Air Taxis, global report shows
A global study has found that people in the UAE (87 percent) and India (82 percent) are the most likely to try electric vertical take and landing (EVTOL) air taxis once they are approved in their country while South Africans (88 percent) are the most positive about other countries. The study found 65 percent of adults will fly in air taxis once they are approved by regulators in their own country while 61 percent would use them in other countries where regulators have approved them.
However, safety issues need to be rigorously addressed with three out of four (76 percent) of those surveyed saying worries about eVTOL safety would be the biggest deterrent for using air taxis while 69 percent would want reassurances about the training of pilots. Less than half (47 percent) would be worried about the cost of flights while only 38 percent say comfort during flights would be a concern and 43 percent are worried about the environmental impact.
The table below shows views in different countries on whether they would be happy to fly in eVTOLs once they are approved in their home country and in other countries.
Horizon Aircraft commissioned the market research company, Pure Profile, in April 2021 to interview 1,001 adults aged 18-plus in Australia, Canada, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, UK, and the US with equal numbers in each country using an online methodology.
Horizon’s research shows widespread support globally for the development of the eVTOL industry and its potential impact on jobs and investment. Around 77 percent questioned believe the development of the sector is positive.
Brandon Robinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Horizon Aircraft said: “There is strong support for the concept of air taxis and the EVTOL market in general worldwide, people are keen to use the aircraft, and very positive about the development of the sector. The challenge for the industry is designing aircraft which are commercially viable and which, most importantly, meet the highest standards of safety to meet passenger expectations.”
According to Robinson, research by Roland Berger showed that $900 million invested in the urban air mobility market in the first six months of 2020 with forecasts of much more investment in the coming years.
