South Korean Ministry Of Transportation Tests Flying Taxi, Hopes To Operate In 2025

JAKARTA - South Korea demonstrated a system for controlling urban air mobility vehicles (UAM) on Thursday, November 11, which is expected to function as a taxi between the main airport and downtown Seoul as soon as 2025. These taxis could cut travel times by up to two-thirds.

Last year, South Korea announced a roadmap to start commercial urban air travel by 2025. The transport ministry estimates the service could cut travel times for distances between 30-50km from one hour by car to 20 minutes by air.

"Because UAM is expected to be one of the means of public transportation used by citizens in their daily lives, it is absolutely necessary for us to test and try UAM services in various environments," said Transportation Minister Noh Hyeong-ouk, who attended the demonstration on Thursday, in a statement. quoted by Reuters.

A pilot has flown a two-seat model made by Volocopter, Germany, at Gimpo Airport, Seoul, to test and demonstrate its control and coordination.

Powered by helicopter-like rotors for vertical takeoff and landing, the demonstrated aircraft can be piloted or operate autonomously without a pilot.

But when passengers are at UAM, a pilot must guard the plane to ensure safety, a transport ministry official said, adding that it would also help acceptance by the general public.

South Korean designers also showed off their own drone models. A full-sized prototype is expected to start test flights next year, with the aim of developing an operational five-seat version, according to the transport ministry.

Other technologies demonstrated at the event include imaging equipment to detect and track aircraft, and a patented lighting system for "vertiports" where drones land and take off.

A trip from Incheon International Airport to downtown Seoul, is estimated to cost around 110,000 won (Rp 1.3 million) when commercial travel begins in 2025. This price is more expensive than premium taxis. But it will drop to around 20,000 won (Rp 241,000) per trip after 2035 when the market is ripe, a source at the ministry said.

Last Thursday's test flight determined that the air traffic control system that manages domestic and international flights at the airport can also monitor and manage UAM aircraft, the ministry said in a statement.

"This demonstrates that existing air traffic operations can be carried out in harmony with UAM operations," the statement said.