Future of Flight action plan predicts UK piloted flying taxi services by 2028
Flying taxis, crime-fighting drones and critical 999 care deliveries could all be a reality by 2030 according to the government and industry’s joint Future of Flight action plan, just released by the Department for Transport (DfT).
The joint plan sets out the strategic direction of the sector over the next five years, striking a balance between innovation, security, safety and cutting emissions.
Setting out a roadmap for drones and novel electric aircraft in the UK, the roadmap details plans for the first piloted flying taxi flight by 2026 and regular services by 2028, regular drone deliveries by 2027 and demos of autonomous flying taxis without pilots on board by 2030.
Flying taxis, it points out, are already undergoing the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorisation process and have been made possible thanks to rapid advances in battery technology, meaning they are light enough to stay in the air and powerful enough to cover the distances needed.
Aviation and Technology Minister, Anthony Browne, said, “Cutting-edge battery technology will revolutionise transport as we know it – this plan will make sure we have the infrastructure and regulation in place to make it a reality. From flying taxis to emergency service drones, we’re making sure the UK is at the forefront of this dramatic shift in transportation.”
Some of the other actions set out in the plan include:
allowing drones to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) so that the sector can grow without limiting the skies for other aircraft
breathing life into smaller aerodromes by setting out how they can operate as vertiports for electric aircraft that take off vertically (sometimes known as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft)
developing standards to improve security for drones to boost public safety
engaging communities and local authorities so that they can enjoy the economic and social benefits of these technologies
The report details how the new technology is already being applied in the UK. For instance West Midlands Police has used drones to tackle violent crime and antisocial behaviour. In July 2023, a drone team was deployed, successfully identifying two offenders and another suspect at a speed and distance that would have taken ground officers hours to track down.
Drones have also being deployed by the NHS. For six months between October 2022 and March 2023, the UK drone service provider Skyfarer partnered with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and Medical Logistics UK to test drones to deliver surgical implants and pathology samples between sites. In one case, drones reliably helped cut delivery times of surgical implants between Coventry and Rugby hospitals from up to an hour to just 18 minutes – a 70% decrease.
The Future of Flight action plan contains measures to make drone applications and assessments easier by creating new and simple digital platforms that operators can use – ensuring companies and public services are “no longer shackled by red tape” and get drones up and flying quicker.
It will also enable the development of vertiports – mini-airports for drones and electric aircraft that take off vertically – by developing certification standards and reviewing the use of existing infrastructure to deliver at speed.
Industry partners will also undertake multiple industry-leading trials to explore new ways to operate drones beyond the visual line of sight and demonstrate further applications of new aviation technologies.
Duncan Walker, Chief Executive of Skyports and Chairman of the Future of Flight Industry Group, said “The UK is home to one of the world’s most important aerospace industries and is in an ideal position to be a pioneer in the next era of aviation. The government and industry have a joint commitment to support the development, industrialisation and introduction of new aviation technologies. Continued collaboration will ensure that we capitalise on the significant domestic and international market opportunities presented by the future of flight.
Sophie O’Sullivan, Head of Future Safety and Innovation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said, “Aviation stands on the cusp of its next, potentially biggest, revolution since the invention of the jet engine. Drones, eVTOL and other different vehicles have the potential to change transportation options forever.
“We welcome the firm direction the government’s Future of Flight action plan provides for the industry as it continues to innovate. Our role in this bright future of aviation will be enabling technological advances and providing regulatory support while ensuring that all forms of new aviation technology enjoy the same high safety standards as traditional aviation.”
Anne-Lise Scaillierez, CEO of UK drone trade association ARPAS-UK said “Drones help professional teams capture data from the sky in a safer, cheaper, smarter and greener way and, in the future, they will help transport cargo and people. ARPAS-UK and the industry are looking forward to actively and collectively implementing the actions in the plan so that we can accelerate the safe use of drones by end-user industries.”