A Clare-based company has said it expects to see air taxis in operation in Ireland within three years.
Future Mobility Campus Ireland is amongst a group of global experts to take part in TRA2024 at the RDS in Dublin from April 15th to 18th. TRA2024 is the largest European gathering to address all aspects of transport and mobility.
Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) made the commitment on World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development. The company is based in Shannon, Co Clare and is working on developing a new space for "smarter, safer, more sustainable transport for people and goods".
FMCI has predicted the first 'air taxis' will be capable of carrying four passengers, with initial tests set to be carried out at their Clare base.
The company provides facilities for researchers, software developers and companies to test their innovations.
One of FMCI’s top projects is the development of "Ireland’s first electric passenger and cargo aircraft research facility".
"This will enable the launch of Ireland’s first electric air taxi service and routine ‘beyond visual line of sight’ (BVLOS) drone operations," the company said.
FMCI chief executive Russell Vickers said the team is making good progress.
“Bringing global experts to Ireland for TRA2024 is an opportunity to show how the country is leading the next generation of travel. I’m proud to say that as an organisation taking part in TRA, we’re on track to enable passenger services to operate in Ireland in 2027. We expect the initial flights will be centred around our test area here in Shannon, Co Clare with aircraft capable of carrying up to four passengers at a time. It’s an incredibly exciting, collaborative effort involving ourselves, Shannon Airport Group and other key partners."
Mr Vickers believes the development of sustainable transport will suit the skillsets of Ireland’s engineering community.
“Ireland has never been in a position to compete for the kind of heavy industry involved in fossil fuel powered transport. However, as renewable and sustainable factors become more important, we know we have the technological talent to put ourselves at the forefront of innovation for an industry that’s set to evolve for many years to come”.
Amongst the themes to be discussed each day at TRA2024 are safe and inclusive transport, sustainable mobility of people and goods, efficient and resilient infrastructure and collaborative digitalisation. TRA2024 is supported by the European Commission and the Government.
