The introduction of flying taxis for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia will revolutionize the pilgrimage experience for pilgrims.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Saudi Arabia is set to test flying taxis during the Hajj season 2024.
- These taxis or eVTOL are a collaborative invention by Volocopter and Saudi authorities.
- The Saudi authorities plan to purchase 100 Lilium German jets to operate an air taxi service.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport, Saleh bin Naseer Al-Jasser has confirmed the testing of flying taxis during the Hajj season 2024.
As per reports, the Minister is very keen to transform the Hajj pilgrimage and to enhance the travel experience of billions of Muslims who travel to the Holy City of Makkah to perform the pilgrimage.
The initiative of Flying Taxis is a collaboration between the Saudi authorities and the Volocopter.
This electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft will be working as a taxi to transport pilgrims from Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz Airport to their hotels in Makkah.
In addition, these taxis can also function as emergency response vehicles.
The introduction of air taxis has received appreciation from Muslims as this aircraft unlike traditional helicopters offers a more cost-effective and sustainable solution.
As per reports, the flying taxis have completed their test flights in Saudi Arabia’s megacity project, Neom, which is located in the northwest.
With the confirmation from the Ministry of Transport regarding the operation of the flying taxis in Hajj 2024, it has also been reported that the authorities also plan to purchase nearly 100 Lilium aircraft.
With eco-friendly attributes and perfect technological advancements, these German aircraft will make the Hajj operations smoother.
To manage the service effectively the deployment of air taxis has been integrated with proper coordination of current transports, careful planning, perfect operations, and advanced IT systems.
The project Neom aims to make the transportation network sustainable and smart. This megaproject is powered by several kinds of renewable energy, from which solar and wind energy are one such type.
The development of air taxis to operate transportation is part of a broader effort that aims to diversify the economy of the kingdom while also contributing to the country’s GDP through the use of cutting-edge technologies.
A record of 13.5 million Umrah pilgrims was set last year, and the expectations for the Hajj 2024 are the same too.
With an increasing number of pilgrims each year, these flying taxis can revolutionize the transportation of pilgrims, thus resulting in a smoother pilgrimage experience.
Though air taxis are particularly for pilgrims and no such news regarding their use for other public has been announced, these air taxis if used in the tourism sector can boost sustainability.
The initiation of air taxis for Hajj 2024 is a significant advancement in Saudi Arabia’s transportation industry. These eVTOLs will not only provide a greener solution but will also result in a smoother pilgrimage experience if it is successfully implemented.
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