From gridlock to take off! Israel conducts first air taxi test

Israel has conducted its first tests of an autonomous aircraft that can carry passengers and heavy cargo, also referred to as air taxi. 

The revolutionary aircraft, which is part of the Israel National Drone Initiative (INDI), is expected to serve as public transportation in the future.

Tests were carried out at different locations across Israel, in a partnership between the Ministry of Transportation, the Israel Innovation Authority, Ayalon Highways Ltd., and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI).

Over 60 million shekels have been invested in the initiative, which was launched in 2019, with tests carried out by 11 different drone companies.

One of the companies (AIR) flew the AIR ZERO aircraft which can carry up to two passengers and a total payload of up to 220 kilograms, for a distance of up to 160 kilometres.

The initiative is expected to revolutionise public transportation and traffic in general. Israel has suffered from intense traffic for years, causing huge jams during rush hours.

Israel’s Minister of Transportation, Miri Regev called the initiative the “first of its kind in the world for an extensive and multidisciplinary examination of new technologies, including the transportation of cargo and later, people.”

“This is a new, intriguing, and challenging world with unlimited possibilities for us. We will do everything to ensure that Israel continues to lead and be at the forefront of global research and development on land, air, and sea,” Regev added.

Dror Bin, CEO of the Innovation Authority, also hailed the project, calling it an “important milestone in the National Drone Initiative which gained international acclaim.”

“The significance of these demonstrations lies in creating a regulatory sandbox that allows all relevant stakeholders to have practical experience before establishing a regulatory infrastructure that enables a wider economically viable model,” Bin said.

Orly Stern, CEO of Ayalon Highways said the aircrafts tested right now will be able to “bypass traffic jams, and ease congestion by removing cars and trucks from the roads in conjunction with air traffic management systems. This will create a variety of air transportation options for regular and emergency cargo transfers.”