Global Scans · Air taxi · Weekly Summary

• [New] A future air taxi route between Heathrow and central London could take around eight minutes, compared with more than an hour by car. Travel Tomorrow
• [New] Vertical Aerospace has delayed the certification and delivery of its Valo eVTOL air taxi by one year, now targeting 2029 at the earliest, citing the complexity and rigour of certifying a new class of aircraft. Flying Magazine
• By the mid-2020s, the emerging eVTOL industry was making progress toward commercial air-taxi services as regulators developed new certification requirements and manufacturers continued testing and approval efforts. EBSCO
• A journey from Dubai International Airport to Al Marjan Island, typically exceeding one hour by car, could be reduced to just 15 minutes in a Joby air taxi. GCC BUSINESS WATCH
• Brisbane 2032 preparations may accelerate cross-regional mobility investments including air taxi concepts. Gold Coast Air Taxis
• Japan's SkyDrive has begun formal familiarization meetings with the U.S. FAA on certification validation for its SD-05 eVTOL air taxi, which is planned to be type certified with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau for commercial service beginning in 2028. Aviation Week Network
• Future impact: Commercial urban air taxi routes will begin limited operations in select global cities before 2030, eventually expanding into regional air mobility feeders. SOACET
• Vertical Aerospace has delayed the certification target for its Valo eVTOL air taxi to 2029, pushing back deliveries to airlines like American Airlines until at least that year. Flying Magazine
• Archer Aviation, backed by Stellantis and United Airlines, will test its Midnight electric air taxi in Texas, Florida, and New York. Techspot
• During initial commercial operations expected to begin in 2025 to 2026, air taxi costs are projected to range from $3 to $6 per mile, comparable to premium ride-sharing services like Uber Black. eVTOL.Travel
• US-based flying taxi operator Archer Aviation will deliver an additional aircraft next year, ahead of the launch of commercial air taxi operations in the UAE. Khaleej Times
• Vertical Aerospace has delayed the certification and delivery of its Valo eVTOL air taxi to 2029, a one-year slip from its previous target, attributing it to the rigorous process of certifying a new aircraft class. Flying Magazine

Last updated: 13 September 2026