ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 Orlando International Airport made history this week when an electric air taxi took off and landed there.<\/p>\n
Joby Aviation\u2019s electric air taxi completed a takeoff and landing using a newly constructed vertipad. <\/p>\n
The facility marks the first dedicated landing area for electric air taxis established at a commercial airport in the United States.<\/p>\n
The flight at Orlando International Airport followed a test flight conducted last week across Tampa Bay, which retraced the route of the world\u2019s first commercial airline flight from 1914. <\/p>\n
Joby envisions offering air taxi flights from the airport to Orlando-area theme parks, reducing travel times to minutes compared to an hour of driving.<\/p>\n
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis commented on the potential impact of electric air taxi technology on regional highway congestion. \u201cTo be able to avoid traffic on the ground and get places a lot quicker and I think the technology is going to continue to advance,\u201d DeSantis said. <\/p>\n
The Florida Department of Transportation is analyzing flight testing to establish safety regulations, infrastructure standards and operating procedures for commercial air taxi operations. <\/p>\n
Transportation officials designated the Interstate 4 corridor as an early priority for implementing the technology. <\/p>\n
State leaders expect electric aircraft to reduce travel times, improve cargo delivery and support faster emergency response services. <\/p>\n
Specific timelines for when air taxis will enter regular daily service and the projected cost of passenger rides remain undetermined. <\/p>\n
Airport officials noted that the vertipad at Orlando International Airport serves as an initial phase toward constructing a larger facility designed for full commercial flight operations.<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n