SAN ANTONIO – The skies over San Antonio may soon look very different as Texas prepares for the future of transportation.
“This is going to be the next domain of transportation,” said Sergio Roman, director of emerging aviation technology at TxDOT.
It may sound like something out of science fiction, but the Texas Department of Transportation has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration to participate in a program called eVTOL, which aims to build the infrastructure needed for electric air taxis within the next decade.
Some San Antonio residents say they’re surprised by how quickly the technology is developing.
“For a guy that grew up with pinball machines, this is happening really fast,” said San Antonio resident Bill Brown.
The program could give San Antonians the option to take vertical takeoff air taxi rides around the region and eventually travel to cities like Austin, Dallas and Houston.
“Our whole goal is to make sure that as we innovate and try to be a leader in this space, we do this safely and efficiently, and that we make sure Texans are really going to benefit from this,” Roman said.
TxDOT says the program could create new jobs, connect communities and help Texas lead aviation innovation. Port San Antonio will assist with technological development and communication between the companies and agencies involved.
The rollout will happen in phases. The first phase will involve testing flights without passengers. The second phase will focus on transporting cargo such as medical supplies. The final phase, expected within a decade, will introduce passenger flights.
“I would have to see other people get in it before me and see the end result,” Brown said.
Before passengers ever step onboard, officials say there is still work to be done, including FAA certification and infrastructure planning.