Milestone for urban travel as air taxis 'will soon join airplanes and helicopters in the sky'

These pioneering crafts are designed to take off and land vertically like choppers yet glide through the air as fixed-wing planes do

Federal regulators in the US moved to supercharge the future of urban travel by finalising rules for electric-powered air taxis and how pilots will be trained to operate them.

The Federal Aviation Administration's chief, Mike Whitaker, signalled an era-defining moment as he highlighted this as "an entirely new type of aircraft that will soon join airplanes and helicopters in the sky." These pioneering crafts are designed to take off and land vertically like choppers yet glide through the air as fixed-wing planes do.

Efforts to commercialise them had been impeded by a regulatory grey area. Striving for utmost safety, the FAA aims to integrate these "powered-lift aircraft"—the first new kind of flying machines since helicopters nearly 80 years ago—into US airspace, allowing their extensive use.

Advocates view air taxis as a greener option compared to traditional jet-fuelled planes, although they're currently more suited for short-range trips in city spaces with hopes to revolutionise both passenger and cargo transport. Joby Aviation from California welcomed the fresh regulations, with CEO JoeBen Bevirt saluting the move saying "it will ensure the US continues to play a global leadership role in the development and adoption of clean flight".

Airlines are viewing air taxis as a potential solution for transporting passengers to airports. In 2022, Delta Air Lines announced an investment of $60m in Joby, and just this month, Toyota revealed a $500m investment.

United Airlines is supporting another California-based firm, Archer Aviation, with an order for 200 aircraft that Archer claims could be valued at $1bn, with an additional option for $500m.