Proposed Electric Air Taxis Could Get New Yorkers To JFK In 10 Minutes

NEW YORK CITY — New electric air taxis could bring New Yorkers from Manhattan to JFK Airport in less than ten minutes if it gets approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

California-based Joby Aviation has begun testing its electric air taxis in the city this week and will take off from the Downtown Skyport to JFK Airport.

Joby Aviation has said that its air taxis produce zero emissions due to its new Electrical Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology, according to a news release.

On Tuesday, Joby Aviation officials showed off the air taxis capabilities to reporters during a demonstration on urban air travel in the city.

The electric air taxi has six propellers and takes off vertically with some propellers tilting to propel the aircraft forward.

The taxi will be able to carry five passengers and a pilot.

“These flights advance our work to determine how next-generation aviation technology can serve the people of New York and New Jersey,” Kevin O’Toole, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said in a statement.

The test flights are one of the last steps before receiving FAA certification. If Joby Aviation gets the green light, they could begin its first passenger test flight in the fall.

The air taxi test flights are part of the federal government’s new eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.

Joby Aviation officials have not said when New Yorkers will be able to take an air taxi flight.

“New York has always been a city that defines the future by demanding better,” JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, said.