A British aviation technology company has claimed it could begin operating electric air taxi services in the UK as early as 2028, according to a report published by Cryptopolitan.
The article reports that the firm is developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to carry passengers on short regional journeys, bypassing road congestion and reducing journey times between major transport hubs. The company’s plans focus on battery-powered aircraft that are quieter and cleaner than traditional helicopters, with ambitions to integrate air taxis into future transport networks.
However, the report makes clear that significant challenges remain. Regulatory approval, aircraft certification, airspace integration, infrastructure development, and public acceptance are all major hurdles that must be overcome before any commercial passenger flights can begin. While the company has set a 2028 target, progress will ultimately depend on aviation regulators and safety authorities.
Pricing Ambitions Compared to Uber Black
The company’s CEO, Slattery, said the aim is to charge around the same price as an Uber Black journey per seat, when the aircraft cabin is configured to carry six passengers. He suggested that this pricing strategy could help bring air taxis closer to the mass market rather than positioning them as a luxury helicopter alternative.
The article uses a US example for comparison, noting that an Uber Black trip from downtown Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport currently costs around $150, with prices increasing during peak demand. No UK pricing figures have been confirmed, and the company has not announced specific routes or fare structures for Britain.
(For reference Uber black is similar to Uber Exec in the UK)
DM News Commentary
Air taxis have been promised for years, and while the technology is clearly advancing, timelines like 2028 should still be treated with caution. Aviation regulation in the UK is among the strictest in the world, and scaling any passenger air service safely is far more complex than launching a road-based transport platform.
The Uber Black pricing comparison is ambitious. Even if fares are marketed on a per-seat basis, operating costs — including aircraft maintenance, pilot training, insurance, charging infrastructure, and weather limitations — could make consistent pricing difficult in the real world. Early services are likely to be limited in both route choice and availability.
For the taxi and private-hire industry, air taxis are unlikely to replace traditional services any time soon. Even if they do launch, they would still rely heavily on licensed drivers for first- and last-mile transport to and from vertiports, airports, and city centres. Much like autonomous vehicles, air taxis may grab headlines — but for the foreseeable future, road-based drivers will remain essential.
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