- Kenya Airways (KQ) plans to acquire 20 flying taxis from four foreign firms in a deal aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Nairobi
- The firm, through its subsidiary Fahari Aviation, said the Electric Vertical Aircrafts (EVAs) will start flying in Kenya in 2028
- The plan, the first of its kind in Kenya, if successful, will help upscale Urban Air Mobility in the country
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Bonface Otieno , a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than 10 years of financial, economy , business, markets and aviation expertise, providing insights into Kenya and global trends.
Kenya Airways (KQ) through its subsidiary, Fahari Aviation plans to acquire 20 flying taxis in a plan aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Nairobi.
Fahari Aviation General Manager Hawkins Musili said the Electric Vertical Aircrafts (EVAs) will be acquired in the next three years for commercial use in Kenya, in a plan that looks set to upscale Urban Air Mobility in Kenya.
The carrier, that recorded a net profit of KSh 513 million in the half year ended June 2024, said the flying taxis will be acquired either from EVE, UAM, LLC, a subsidiary of Eve Holding, Inc (“Eve”).
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Other flying taxis will be procured from Archer Aviation Inc., a publicly traded company that has its headquarters in San Joe, California as well as from Supernal Aero and Electra Aero.
The flying taxis, known in technical terms as the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, is a new technology that uses electricity to hover, take off, and land vertically, making it easier to move within cities avoiding traffic jams.
“We are in talks with the four firms among others to acquire 20 flying taxis for commercial use in Nairobi. As at now, nothing has been signed yet as discussions are still ongoing,” said Musili in an interview with TUKO.co.ke.
Kenya Airways goes mute on spending
In as much as the airline remained non-comital on the amount they have set aside for the purchase of the flying taxis, TUKO.co.ke has independently established that buying one will cost about $1.5million (KSh 194 million).
This technically means that the airline, though its subsidiary Fahari Aviation may end up spending close to Ksh3.8 billion to acquire the flying taxis.
The technology behind flying taxis
The flying taxis carry a load of 250 kilograms at 400 kilometres per hour with a range of 250 kilometres.
They fly using an automatic system such as radar and 12 camera sensors.
According to Kenya Airways, EVA will begin as a manual aircraft (with one pilot).
Flying taxis are ideally suited as urban mobility aircraft bringing all traditional aviation travelers closer to their final destinations.
The new partnership is anchored on the need to introduce zero emission electric planes in the transport business in Kenya.
Many flying taxis are being mobilised for urban taxi services, parcel delivery and medical assistance and recreation with minimal military use.
“With a vision to lead in creating the future of the living, we are actively working to intergrade AAM into our operations in a way that aligns with Kenya Airways’ overarching goal-to be Africa’s preferred and sustainable aviation group,” said KQ’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka.
AAM conference set for Nairobi
Kenya Airways is planning to acquire flying taxis at a time TUKO.co.ke reported that the airline is hosting delegates for the first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) conference.
Set for Nairobi, the summit targets hundreds of stakeholders in the aviation circle in Africa.
The event is slated for Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
