Rotorcraft
Electric Air Taxis Take Flight in New York City
Joby and Volocopter fly their eVTOL prototypes from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport
Joby NYC demo flight
Joby's five-seat electric air taxi became the first eVTOL aircraft to fly in New York City on Nov. 12, 2023. (Photo: Joby Aviation)

In a sign that it is embracing an electric aviation future, New York City hosted public flight demonstrations of eVTOLs developed by Joby and Volocopter this week at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. On Sunday, Joby’s preproduction prototype aircraft became the first eVTOL air taxi to fly in the city, and Volocopter followed up yesterday with a demonstration of its 2X prototype.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) hosted the two-day event along with NYC mayor Eric Adams. In a briefing at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport yesterday morning, Adams announced the city’s plans to electrify the heliport in support of eVTOL operations, which are expected to launch in the city shortly after these vehicles begin receiving FAA type certification in 2025.

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