German air taxi demonstration flights canceled during Olympics
Volocopter and the operator of Paris airports (ADP) had been actively promoting, in the months and weeks leading up to the Olympics, that the electric air taxis should be allowed to fly for the first time under real conditions and in the middle of the city - for demonstration purposes and without passengers. However, the necessary permit was still pending.
ADP's deputy CEO, Edward Arkwright, said on Thursday that the permit for the VoloCity air taxi was delayed by a few weeks due to the engine. "We're a bit disappointed, but we've always said that we won't compromise on safety." Volocopter CEO Hoke said that the engines from the US would arrive in France next week, but that wouldn't be soon enough.
The electric air taxis are an evolution of drones and resemble mini helicopters with 18 small rotors on top. Volocopter presents the VoloCity as an emission-free and safe means of transport that is inaudible from a distance of 120 meters.
However, the city of Paris had filed a lawsuit against the planned test phase, arguing that air taxis were an "environmentally harmful gadget for the super-rich". The flights were too expensive, consumed too much electricity, made noise, and polluted the sky. Nevertheless, the French administrative court allowed the - now cancelled - test phase.
The United States was the origin of the engines that Volocopter needed for its VoloCity air taxi, aiming to provide emission-free transportation in the United States of America. Despite the delay in securing the necessary permit in Paris, Volocopter and ADP continued to advocate for the aircraft's acceptance in urban settings.
