Fahari Aviation, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways has finally set a 2025 date to launch the much-awaited Urban Air Mobility -UAM tagged the “flying taxis”.
The deal signed in August 2021 with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer to deliver its electric vertical take-off and landing – eVTOL aircraft to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya’s capital of Nairobi to enable travellers enjoy much shorter and much more scenic trips to and from the airport.
The flying taxi, a completely autonomous, flying object not requiring any human pilots has automatic systems such as radar, lidar, and 12 onboard camera sensors to make it fly with very minimal human interference.
Though Fahari, the subsidiary of Kenya Airways disclosed that its new wing which deals with unmanned aircraft like drones, already opened a few unmanned aerial vehicle schools to train interested Kenyans to operate the Embraer’s eVTOLs capable of carrying a load of 250 kilograms (about two to three people at most, or less including luggage) at 400KM per hour with an average range of 250KM per flight.
The flying taxi, a completely electrical UAM, is anchored on the need to introduce zero-emission electric planes in the transport sector and also provide an alternative mode of transportation for passengers who are in a rush.
The President and CEO of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturing company, Andre Stein “the creation of its disruptive and widely accessible urban air mobility solutions will help democratize mobility by making it more accessible, affordable, and giving communities more options.
He also added that the partnership with Kenya Airways will foster long-term mobility strategies throughout the country and its regions.
According to Allan Kilavuka, Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways, while commenting said the “Partnerships are vital in mapping out the future of our airline, something which the global crisis has reinforced.
Kenya Airways, is part of the international Sky Team Alliance, operating to 41 destinations worldwide, including 34 in Africa, and carries over four million passengers each year.
