In a bid to revolutionize public transport during the Paris Olympics, the concept of autonomous flying taxis was envisioned. These electric-powered aircraft were set to transport spectators around the city, offering a glimpse into a futuristic mode of transportation. However, due to certification delays, this ambitious plan did not come to fruition.
Despite the setback, the creators of the Volocopter aircraft, which was intended to serve as a means of transportation for Olympic fans, remain undeterred. To showcase the potential of their innovation, a test flight was conducted on the final day of the 2024 Olympics. The flight took place at sunrise over the magnificent Versailles palace grounds, carrying baggage but no passengers.
The Paris region had initially intended to deploy a small fleet of pilot-less air taxis for the Olympics, in collaboration with Germany's Volocopter and the Paris airport authority ADP. Plans included five designated Olympic routes, with one even featuring a landing platform on the Seine River. Volocopter's CEO had expressed hopes that French President Emmanuel Macron would be the inaugural passenger.
However, the certification required from Europe's air safety agency was not obtained in time for the Games, leading to the cancellation of the project. Despite this setback, manufacturers of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) remain optimistic about the future prospects of their technology. Companies worldwide are actively seeking authorization for their eVTOL models to enable commercial flights.
Looking ahead, Volocopter aims to secure permission to transport passengers over Paris for the reopening of the fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral in December. Meanwhile, competitors are eyeing the opportunity to realize the vision of Olympic spectators being ferried between venues in autonomous flying vehicles at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
