FLYING taxis are set to take sports fans around Los Angeles at the next “car-free” 2028 Olympics – and they will cost the same price as an Uber.
Olympic committee LA28 have announced a partnership with Archer Aviation – and the collaboration is set to launch an incredible fleet of air cabs.
The aviation firm announced the groundbreaking plans on Thursday, which aim to cut through LA’s notoriously bad traffic.
Concepts for flying cabs have surfaced before but have failed to take off.
Aerial taxis were set to debut in the Paris Games in 2024 – but lacked certification from Europe’s safety agency.
Archer Aviation is also yet to be approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration.
But defiant founder and CEO Adam Goldstein says that his brand hopes to receive that critical certification by the end of 2025.
The mind-blowing cabs will take sports fans around the City of Angels in short 10-20 minute trips.
There will also be designated pick-up and drop-off spots for visitors and locals alike.
This network of “vertiports” includes stations at SoFi Stadium, LAX, and other hubs from Santa Monica to Orange County.
Goldstein said: “Imagine an Olympic event taking place in Dodger Stadium, and then having to get back to SoFi for the medal ceremony.
“How are you going to get there if you’re stuck in two hours [of] traffic?”
The cutting-edge passenger jets are part of a huge effort by LA28 to have a “car-free” Olympics that will allow the city to better digest the expected 15 million attendees of the Games.
And just like the popular taxi app Uber, punters will be able to request a ride using a new app on their phone.
Goldstein added that the goal for cost would be to keep prices on par with a high-end ride share like Uber Lux.
The firm plans to launch a fleet of their piloted Midnight aircraft – which is part of a family of vehicles dubbed eVTOLs.
This stands for electric vertical take-off landing aircraft.
Archer Aviation is backed by Boeing and United Airlines, and their Midnight model is built using 12 engines and propellers.
It also produces “less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter”, according to LA28.
Goldstein explained: “There’s a reason wealthy and famous people use helicopters — they’re extremely convenient.”
His firm is projected to have a fleet of 50 air taxis by the time the 2028 Olympics take place – but demand may overtake supply.
On top of public transport, Archer Aviation’s air vehicles will also provide emergency services and security support at the Games, according to Goldstein.
He added: “We’re perfectly situated to do that kind of stuff.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/14250053/flying-taxi-fleet-olympics/
