Commercial-grade Air Taxis Set to Launch Soon in South Korea
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Seoul, Dec 13 (NationPress) The transport ministry announced on Friday that it will showcase a flight demonstration of a commercial-grade air taxi this week, as part of a governmental initiative to establish the urban air mobility (UAM) sector in the nation.
The ministry is set to demonstrate the S-4 model, produced by U.S. electric aircraft manufacturer Joby Aviation Inc., at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute's aviation center located in Goheung, approximately 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on Saturday.
This demonstration is a component of the K-UAM Grand Challenge, a government-led initiative aimed at assessing the safety and traffic management capabilities of UAM vehicles for commercial use, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
The introduction of the S-4, which can accommodate a pilot and up to four passengers, signifies the inaugural deployment of a commercial-grade UAM aircraft in South Korea.
The demonstration will involve testing UAM operational technologies related to flight management and air traffic, developed by a consortium that includes SK Telecom Co., Korea Airports Corp., and Hanwha Systems Co.
Additionally, the government has committed to extensive support for a pilot initiative for a commercial air taxi service on the southern resort island of Jeju.
The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province plans to launch the pilot program on Jeju Island in 2025, in collaboration with a UAM consortium formed by both public and private entities, including SK Telecom and Hanwha Systems.
The government and the province intend to establish vertiports for air taxi departures and arrivals initially in three locations: Jeju International Airport, Seongsan Port in Seogwipo, and the Jungmun Tourist Complex. The pilot operation will concentrate on validating the safety and commercial viability of UAM routes based at these sites.
Jeju aims to apply for the designation of UAM pilot operation zones in 2025.
