A groundbreaking development in transport is poised to reshape the way people navigate, with ‘air taxis’ expected to be in use in Limerick as early as 2027 for the Ryder Cup in Adare.
Air taxis are preparing to revolutionise regional travel, making distances shrink and commuting times drastically shorter while redefining the very concept of transportation in rural Ireland.
CEO of Future Mobility Ireland, a not-for-profit funded by Enterprise Ireland, Russell Vickers explained the concept of air taxis, which are already operational in places like Singapore and Dubai.
“Air taxis are essentially electric helicopters, they’re battery powered and can cover distances up to 200 kilometres”. Using Shannon as an airspace to feed the technology into the Mid-West, Russell added, “it is our intention to build an ecosystem there to allow these services.”
With many uses in everyday life, Russell adds that it is the intention of the company to have these services available at the time of the Ryder Cup to transport golfers straight from their flight to Shannon, onto Adare in much less time than if they travelled by car.
This advanced air mobility can be made possible by the introduction of the first vertiport base in Ireland, to be located on site at Shannon Airport. These are similar to heliports, but are solely for the arrival and departure of an air taxi.
The transition of travel is hoped to be seamless from the airport to almost any place as far away as approximately 200 kilometres.
In regards to size and function, Russell said, “initially [air taxis] will all be piloted.” He added, “some aircrafts take two people, the pilot and a passenger but it is possible to scale up to four passengers and a pilot.”
An undoubtedly new concept for Ireland, the main concern would be the noise pollution they may cause and take away from what we are most known for – our peaceful countryside.
Russell revealed that the air taxis are quieter than conventional helicopters. “Once it’s in the air, higher than about a lamppost, you can’t hear it anymore. When they’re flying at 2,000 to 4,000 feet, you’ll see them but you won’t hear them,” he added, hinting at the green initiative behind it.
“We really want to show the technology and what the region is capable of”.
From the Limerick Leader.
Ready for takeoff: An example of an air taxi for the proposed vertiport at Future Mobility Campus Ireland | PICTURE: Archer Aviation
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