This summer, the French will witness the takeoff of a very particular and futuristic machine.
On the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games which takes place on July 26 in Paris, very futuristic machines will fly over the capital, under the amazed eyes of tourists from around the world. A good way to promote French know-how internationally, especially since this innovation was presented at the Vivatech 2024 exhibition in Paris, highlighting this new technology developed by Aéroports de Paris and the German company Volocoptère. .
But this criticized project, which some describe as a “gadget for the rich”, has also been singled out by the Environmental Authority because of its energy efficiency and the high volume of the device. For the Paris town hall, it was also a “ecological aberration”. However, at the economic and international level, in the middle of the 2024 Olympics, the French government sees this as a great opportunity. Thus, despite criticism, operating flying taxis, which take the form of a helicopter, will indeed be authorized. This June 12, 2024, the Minister of Transport gave his approval to these experimental flights which will take place on a heliport located at the Cité du design et de la mode, not far from the Austerlitz station.
“The VoloCity air taxi will fly in urban environments, without noise and without emissions. It is intended to transport passengers between transport hubs such as train stations and airports. This will make it possible to offer other mobility options than existing ones, which will be smoother, faster and more practical“, specifies the specialist in urban air mobility. Two people will be able to board (including the pilot). You will therefore have to travel alone, but the experience should be amazing for those who venture to cross the Seine during this period of Olympic Games.
For the moment, the deployment of these flying taxis is not immediately planned. These Volocopters will only be able to fly above the Seine and commercial operation is not authorized. In addition, they will be subject to restrictions as severe as airliners in the event of development.