Coventry is a city in central England. It is also a place where our concept of modes of transportation is upended. The city is going to host an airport for flying cars later this year. The project seeks to demonstrate how air taxis will work in urban centres.
The facility is set up by Urban-Air Port, a Britain-based startup, in association with car giant Hyundai Motors. They will develop the infrastructure required for the take-off and landing of flying cars. Those who visit Coventry from November onwards will be able to see what a flying car airport would look like. They will get to see a passenger drone and an operational electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle on the landing pad.
Urban-Air Port was roped in as part of a government programme aimed at developing zero-emission flying and new air vehicles.
According to reports, the UK government has extended a financial assistance of over 1.2 million pounds ($1.65-million) to help fund the temporary installation of the airport.
“With the help of the UK government and Hyundai Motor Group, we’ll be realising the first fully operational airport in the world,” says Ricky Sandhu, Urban Air-Port founder and executive chairman.
“Cars need roads. Trains need rails. Planes need airports. eVTOLs will need Urban Air Ports,” adds Sandhu.
It has been decided to build about 200 urban airports worldwide.
