Uber takes to the skies in Australia

G’day mate, Fancy a flying cab? Australia to become the first international market for Uber Air the flying taxi service.

Uber have selected Melbourne to be the third city in its pilot air taxi programme. Test flights are starting in 2020 and the company hope for it to be commercially operational by 2023.

Uber are not the only company to think flying fares are the next big thing, but it seems they are pushing the hardest at the moment. They are hoping to ease congestion on the city streets with the new concept.

Competing to develop the first viable passenger-carrying sky taxis are major tech firms, while Airbus and a range of start-ups have also been testing self-flying taxis.

Separately, a firm funded by Google founder Larry Page has unveiled an electric, self-flying air taxi that can travel at up to 180 km/h (110mph).

“As major cities grow, the heavy reliance on private car ownership will not be sustainable,” said Eric Allison, global head of the firm’s aviation division Uber Elevate.

“Uber Air holds enormous potential to help reduce road congestion.”

From Melbourne’s central business district to the airport just a 19km journey would take up to an hour by car, but in the air, just 10 minutes.

Nasa and the US army have both expressed interest in the flying taxis, as have 2 aircraft manufacturers all assisting in the development, however its not all been plain sailing for uber.

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