FutureFlight
Uber Elevate Remains Optimistic About 2023 UAM Service Launch
The company's leader said the partners necessary to begin the service continue to make progress despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Uber Copter
Uber Elevate used its currently-suspended Uber Copter services in the New York area to gain operational knowledge to build its planned Uber Air ride-hailing service with eVTOL aircraft. (Photo: Uber)

While conceding that the global pandemic is taking a toll on the air transportation system, Eric Allison, who is leading Uber's efforts to launch urban air mobility (UAM) services, expresses optimism that the first eVTOL aircraft will be certified and enter service in 2023.

“We're still excited to see great progress there as we engage with the different communities,” Allison said during last week’s Invest in Bavaria's Urban Air Mobility 2020: Future of Aerial Transport & Logistics virtual conference. He acknowledged the uncertainty introduced by the global pandemic but added that vehicle developers are keeping pace and raising sufficient capital. “I think that we haven't really seen a meaningful slowdown in the progress that the key developers are making," he commented. "We’re still pretty bullish that we'll be able to see some level of operation in that timeframe.”