Paris is set to become the first European city, and potentially the first city worldwide, to offer electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) services in time for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The announcement was made by Volocopter, a pioneer of urban air mobility, in collaboration with Groupe ADP, the French Civil Aviation Authority, and the Paris region at the International Paris Air Show.
Urban air mobility is a new form of sustainable aviation that aims to provide additional transportation options for regions and cities. Groupe ADP and Volocopter have been working together since 2020 to bring Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to Paris. They have conducted flight tests with eVTOLs at the Pontoise testbed and have engaged with regulators and stakeholders to pave the way for this innovative transportation solution.
Volocopter, with over a decade of experience in electric aircraft development, is on track to receive certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2024. Their eVTOLs adhere to strict safety standards similar to those for airliners and have undergone over 1,500 test flights to ensure redundancy and safety.
The partnership between Volocopter and Groupe ADP will initially establish three connection routes and two tourist round trip flights, serviced by multiple aircraft. The connection routes include Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris-Le Bourget airport, the Vertiport of Austerlitz barge to Paris Heliport, and Paris Heliport to the Airfield of Saint-Cyr-l'École (Versailles). The tourist round trips will operate from Paris Heliport and Paris Le Bourget.
Operations in Paris will commence from five vertiports and gradually expand to cover the entire Paris region over the next decade. The VoloCity aircraft, capable of carrying one pilot and one passenger, will operate at altitudes below 500 meters, ensuring minimal noise impact in urban environments.
Vertiport construction is scheduled to begin this summer and be in full swing by the end of 2024. The development of five vertiports in Paris will enable commercial launch in the summer of 2024. Notably, a unique vertiport will be situated on the Austerlitz barge on the Seine river, with support from the Paris Region. An environmental impact study has been submitted to the Environmental Authority this month, and a public acceptance survey is planned for the second half of 2023, which will facilitate the commencement of vertiport construction early next year.
Each vertiport will include passenger terminals with one to three takeoff and landing spots, incorporating the lessons learned from the Pontoise testbed, where numerous flights and tests have been conducted over the past 18 months, attracting over 1,000 visitors. These initial routes will provide valuable insights into the UAM market, allowing the public, partners, and stakeholders to familiarize themselves with this innovative form of mobility.
Volocopter aims to continually improve its service based on feedback from real customers, helping to enhance electric air taxi services for everyone. The experiences gained from the first commercial operations in Paris will shape the future evolution of UAM for decades to come.
In addition to passenger transportation and tourist flights, Volocopter is collaborating with air rescue operator ADAC Luftrettung to deploy eVTOLs in emergency medical services. The feasibility study conducted by ADAC Luftrettung has garnered significant interest from the Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, leading to a collaboration with Groupe ADP to explore the concept of multicopter operations in emergency medical services in the Paris region.
EVTOLs are recognized for their zero-emission operations, powered entirely by batteries. Extensive testing has demonstrated that Volocopter aircraft are significantly quieter than helicopters, ensuring minimal noise disturbance in urban areas.
The general public will have the opportunity to book flights for the summer of 2024. Subscribers to Volocopter channels will receive the first updates on booking opportunities, which will be announced in the second half of 2023.
Edward Arkwright, Groupe ADP Deputy CEO, expressed his confidence in the success of this project, stating that the 2023 Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, the birthplace of aviation pioneers, will be a turning point in the realization of electric air mobility. He emphasized that carbon-free air travel brings new services and that the challenges ahead are a source of pride for everyone involved.
Dirk Hoke, CEO of Volocopter, eagerly anticipates the imminent realization of electric air taxis, asserting that together with their French partners, they will lead the way in decarbonizing aviation. He believes the Paris Air Show 2023 is the perfect opportunity to showcase the benefits of electric air taxis to thousands of people on a daily basis.
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