HELICOPTER TAXI SERVICE LAUNCHED IN SOUTH KOREA

Cutting commute time to 20 minutes provided by helicopter taxis in South Korea (Photo courtesy of Yonhap)

A faster and convenient alternative to traditional public transportation was launched in South Korea reducing the travel time within Seoul. The Moviation Inc. start-up has launched a helicopter service travelling between the airport and Gangnam neighborhood of Seoul, from over two hours to 20 minutes.

The “Vonaer” service an urban air mobility (UAM), currently in a testing phase, that will operate once an hour, offering a one-way flight costing 440,000 won (around P18,700). Two weeks from the date of booking, flights will be available requiring a minimum of 8 to 10 passengers.

"Passengers can relax in the lounge located at the helipad, and use the vehicle provided from the helipad to the airport terminal,”  Shin Min, CEO of  the start-up Moviation stated.

The helicopter will fly at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour and when passing over urban areas in Seoul the helicopter will slow down to 160 kph. The company will also offer charter services nationwide with a one-way trip  from Seoul to southern Busan worth 18 million won (P762,000).

Shin Min said that the company aims to bridge the gap, "Small air transportation businesses have not taken off in South Korea and because of this urban air services are unfamiliar to the public and related infrastructure is lacking.”  

Providing a safer and faster transportation. The company also plan to expand air taxi service routes to other downtown areas in Seoul including Yeouido.

“VONAER aims to open and popularize Korean urban aviation services. It is necessary to lay the foundation for the upcoming era of UAM by building the relevant infrastructure and customer base through helicopter services,” Min stated.

Shin Min emphasized the company’s helicopter were safe and pilots were very experienced. It also added that for severe weather conditions routes could be suspended around 30 percent of the year. 

Source: Yonhap News Agency

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