National carrier Kenya Airways, through its subsidiary Fahari Aviation, now targets to launch flying taxis in 2028 to beat traffic in Nairobi, marking yet another shift in the dateline of launching electric vehicles that can take off and land vertically.
Plans to launch the flying taxis in Kenya have long been on KQ’s card with several missed launch dates, including an earlier promise to launch them by 2025 as part of a business diversification strategy.
Fahari Aviation General Manager Hawkins Musili said the company is exploring acquiring 20 flying taxis and launching services in Kenya by 2028.
He said that the company is eyeing potential partnerships with three firms including EVE UAM, LLC (a subsidiary of Eve Holdings, Inc.), Archer Aviation Inc., Electra Aero, and Supernal.
A growing number of global cities have registered an interest in Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft which are designed to take off and land vertically, similar to helicopters, offering the potential for quieter, cleaner, and more efficient transportation, particularly in an urban environment.
An eVTOL aircraft takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter, eliminating the need for runways and other large facilities.
Airlines worldwide are racing to secure new revenue streams through this emerging technology, which offers them a sustainable solution for navigating congested urban areas.
Mr Musili said adopting the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) would require refining regulations and infrastructure that would support the integration of the transport solution.
“What we want to see is the infrastructure required to enable this including traffic management systems that will allow us to incorporate this new technology into existing airspace and ensure everybody operates securely and safely. The other aspects are infrastructure is from a landing and take-off perspective where charging needs to be enabled,” he said.
Several industries are expected to be early adopters of AAM technology.
“The transportation sector will leverage AAM’s capabilities, but we also see significant opportunities in tourism and emergency response, where logistics solutions could be transformative.”
KQ’s Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka said Kenya has already played a role in aviation advancement by enabling Airbus’s Aalto HAPS system to achieve a record-breaking 27-day continuous stratospheric flight.
“This achievement underscores Kenya’s strategic position as a hub for aviation innovation. It demonstrates our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in air mobility,” he said.
