“From Majorca to Ibiza in 4 Minutes”: Flying Taxis Arrive in Spain
The story about a Spanish flying taxi service across the Balearic Islands, has been doing “the media-rounds” for several years, but this week it was given fresh impetus when Madrid-based NextNorth, a helicopter service company, now describing itself as “an air-taxi booking platform”, posted on Linkedin, “Exciting news! We are thrilled to announce the coming launch of our new urban air mobility services in the Balearic Islands, Spain. Featuring a cutting-edge booking application for air taxis.”
What was once a dream, appears now to be an impending reality, where the five Balearic Islands, Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Cabrera could be joined via the air, allowing a journey from Majorca to Ibiza, for example, to be a mere four minutes long.
A little more research shows that NextNorth are still awaiting authorisation from the European Union Agency for Aviation Safety, EASA, to operate on the islands, so it remains a promise. Even so, speculation is rife and the gung-ho Madrid company has already chosen infrastructure developer, Bluenest by Globalvia, to construct the vertiports and transform existing heliports in the area. NextNorth proudly proclaims, “We are taking transportation to a whole new level.” If EASA approves the service, it could begin as early as next year, the company suggests.
Gema Ferrero
Gema Ferrero, CEO of Bluenest commented, “Through vertiports it will be possible to combine passenger transport, last-mile delivery and transport infrastructure inspection to create the urban mobility ecosystem of the future. The value differential of vertiports is found in their ability to complement other forms of mobility.”
In an article from idealista.com, we learn more about the project. First, the digital air taxi booking platform was launched during the Qatar 2022 World Cup. The article says, “The platform, which aims to become one of the leading companies in the new last-mile aviation, offers a new form of air mobility that will allow the public to save up to 80 percent of the time on journeys by booking both intra-island and inter-island flights.”
It continues, “In this way, the company will begin operating (temporarily) with helicopters, with the aim of detecting the best routes and locations to later be able to operate with the aforementioned eVTOL.” We learn that NextNorth has gained investment from Jota2Group and Openvia Mobility.
Due to the nature of air taxis and the small number of seats available, NextNorth points out, “It is worth noting our ridesharing offer, where flights are democratised thanks to the fact that the user can choose one or more seats on a given route or the entire aircraft.” For example, a family travelling around the Islands can book an air taxi for a variety of trips. Prices will start at EUR95 per passenger, although this figure varies accordingly, depending on the length of flight.
Bluenest Vision of a Balearic Island Vertiport (Credit: Bluenest)
An obvious question. Which flying taxi company will NextNorth use? While this sounds an ideal opportunity for EHang, rumour suggests it may be the Spanish-based eVTOL firm, Umiles, led by CEO Carlos Poveda, who will take the honours. Its proposed five seats is more cost effective for NextNorth than EHang’s two. Yet, when will Umiles gain full certification from EASA to commercially fly. Surely, not by next year? This is where fantasy overtakes reality. Its present aircraft, as one media outlet unkindly pointed out last year, “Looks more like a single passenger pod from Star Wars with a comic Jetsons-style look.”
Called ‘Integrity’, apart from being able to transport five passengers (does this include the pilot?), Umiles hopes eventually for flight distances of up to 300 km. Yet, less than two years ago, Poveda talked of being ready for commercial flying by the very earliest in 2026 and closer to 2030. So, perhaps, Volocity or Joby may take up the reins, but that won’t be until 2025.
Perhaps, this “promised” Balearic Island flying taxi story will simply run and run.
For more information
(News Source: www.idealista.com)
(Top Image: NextNorth)
