AirAsia’s Flying Taxis To Take Off In Malaysia, Singapore By 2025
AirAsia has signed a non-binding MOU with aircraft-leasing firm, Avolon Holdings, to lease 100 electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft (eVTOL). AirAsia plans to deploy the VX4s as part of a ride-sharing system that can be booked through their mobile “super app”, which presently offers conventional flights, hotels, food, retail, delivery and ride-hailing amongst other services.
According to Tony Fernandes, the Chief Executive of Capital A, AirAsia’s parent company, we will be able to book a flight in one of these vehicles by 2025, starting in Malaysia and Singapore where they are likely to get approval earlier, and later in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
And as the budget carrier has always flaunted that “now everyone can fly”, Tony also promises that this upcoming service will be accessible to the common folk. “We want everyone to be able to use this product,” he said to reporters.
Avolon had ordered 500 of the claimed zero-emissions VX4 aircraft from Vertical Aerospace last year, valued at US$2 billion. Besides AirAsia, they are also placing 100 of the aircraft with Japan Airlines and 250 with Brazilian airlines Gol and transport operator Grupo Comporte.
The VX4 has a four-passenger capacity and requires one pilot to man. It is expected to have a top speed of 200 mph and a range of 100 miles.
