‘AIR TAXIS’ TO SOAR IN THE SKIES OVER IRELAND IN 2027
Advanced Air Mobility to be showcased at upcoming European conference in Dublin
Ahead of their appearance at TRA2024 next month, the team at Future Mobility Campus of Ireland in Shannon Co Clare say they expect to have air taxis in operation in Ireland in 2027. Full details of TRA2024 are available at https://2024.traconference.eu/
One of the contributors to an upcoming conference on the future of transport and mobility in Europe says it expects to see air taxis in operation in Ireland within 3 years. Future Mobility Campus Ireland is amongst a group of global experts to take part in TRA2024 at the RDS in Dublin from April 15 – 18 this year. TRA2024 is the largest European gathering to address all aspects of transport and mobility.
Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) made the commitment on World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development. The company is based in Shannon Co. Clare and is working on developing a new space for smarter, safer, more sustainable transport for people and goods. It provides facilities for researchers, software developers and companies to test their innovations.
One of FMCI’s top projects is the development of Ireland’s first electric passenger and cargo aircraft research facility. This will enable the launch of Ireland’s first electric air taxi service and routine ‘beyond visual line of sight’ (BVLOS) drone operations.
Russell Vickers is CEO of Future Mobility Campus of Ireland at Shannon in Co Clare. Ahead of his organisation’s appearance at TRA2024 next month, he says he expects his team will succeed in having air taxis in operation in Ireland in 2027. Full details of TRA2024 are available at https://2024.traconference.eu/
CEO of FMCI Russell Vickers says the team is making good progress: “Bringing global experts to Ireland for TRA2024 is an opportunity to show how the country is leading the next generation of travel. I’m proud to say that as an organisation taking part in TRA, we’re on track to enable passenger services to operate in Ireland in 2027. We expect the initial flights will be centred around our test area here in Shannon Co. Clare with aircraft capable of carrying up to four passengers at a time. It’s an incredibly exciting, collaborative effort involving ourselves, Shannon Airport Group and other key partners”.
Dr Bob Flynn is a National Contact Point for Horizon Europe – Climate, Energy and Mobility at Enterprise Ireland and works with the team at FMCI. He says it’s a perfect fit for TRA: “Russell and his team at FMCI are an outstanding example of the innovative minds creating the future of transport, right here in Ireland, and theirs is the kind of work we are excited to platform at the RDS next month. We have no doubt their ambition, talent and achievements to date will captivate our international delegates and spark really important discussions”.
Russell Vickers believes the development of sustainable transport will suit the skillsets of Ireland’s engineering community: “Ireland has never been in a position to compete for the kind of heavy industry involved in fossil fuel powered transport. However, as renewable and sustainable factors become more important, we know we have the technological talent to put ourselves at the forefront of innovation for an industry that’s set to evolve for many years to come”.
Amongst the themes to be discussed each day at TRA2024 are safe and inclusive transport, sustainable mobility of people and goods, efficient and resilient infrastructure and collaborative digitalisation. TRA2024 is supported by the European Commission and the Irish Government. For more information and to register, please visit https://2024.traconference.eu/