Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Volocopter revealed a detailed plan this week to launch an urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem in Singapore as soon as 2024.
The announcement is the latest signal that the Germany-based company continues to view Asia as a key market in the emerging eVTOL industry.
In just two years, Volocopter expects to launch sightseeing flights for tourists in the city-state’s Mariana Bay Area. By 2030, the company aims to expand service to business travelers and commuters across nearby borders to Indonesia and Malaysia.
Total economic benefits from the new industry will generate $4.18 billion in Singapore dollars ($3.1 billion USD) and prompt creation of up to 1,300 local jobs, according to Volocopter. Plans call for Singapore’s UAM infrastructure to include four to six vertiports, aka “VoloPorts,” also by 2030.
Possible Manufacturing, MRO Facilities
On Tuesday, Volocopter announced a partnership with Singapore economic development officials and JTC Corporation to study the feasibility of building eVTOL manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities at the country’s Seletar Aerospace Park.
Although none of Volocopter’s eVTOLs has yet been certificated for flight, the company eventually intends to offer three types of aircraft: an urban air taxi with a 35 km range, a passenger eVTOL for longer distances—around 100 km—and an eVTOL for transporting cargo.
Volocopter announced plans last October to launch air taxi service at Japan’s World Expo in 2025. The company has also staked a claim in South Korea, where last November it staged a demonstration flight of its 2X test article. It also has signed agreements with Chinese officials to begin manufacturing and selling eVTOLs in that country.
