Singapore's air taxi sector is expected to see growth in terms of passenger volumes to 3,000 within the next six years, consulting firm Roland Berger predicted. The forecast came despite air vehicles struggling to establish a name in the city-state.
According to the Singapore Business Review, light traffic is the main reason why air taxi firms and projects are having a hard time putting their vehicles in the air. On the other hand, interest in the sector has increased and could pave the way for air vehicles to take flight within the next decade or so.
Air mobility is still a dream for many developing countries but in Singapore, there are already two firms planning to bring passenger drones to the city-state. It is expected that more air vehicle manufacturers will take an interest in similar projects.
Germany's Volocopter is looking to launch air taxi operations by the second half of this year while U.S. firm Bell Helicopter's air vehicles are expected to take flight in Singapore come 2025.
The lack of a suitable environment for passenger drone businesses to thrive in Singapore pushed other Singaporean air vehicle companies to kickoff business in other countries instead.
Among these firms are Ascent and Neo Aeronautics. The former launched in the Philippines earlier this year while the latter will have its vehicles take flight in California, the United States next year.
Late last month, multiple outlets reported that Volocopter's plan to build the first "vertiport" or passenger drone airport could open doors for more investors to explore the potential benefits of this particular business.
Test flights are already planned for the air vehicle landing port, Business Insider reported. The so-called Volo-Port will feature infrastructures that allow for drone aircraft such as air taxis to make safe landings.
Volocopter's Singapore tests are expected to help industry analysts collect data and relevant information on how the air taxi sector can serve its future customers better whether in passenger lounges, boarding procedures, and pre-flight checks.
5G technology is expected to play a major role in powering air taxi businesses. The high-speed connections should help ensure that flights arrive safely and routes are clear or free from potential disruptions.
Volocopter's tests are supported in full by the Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. The city-state's government has also expressed eagerness for the project to become a success.
Drone technology is getting closer than ever and Singapore just may be the starting point of air taxi business that will redefine in-country travels not just in Asia but also in other regions around the world.
