Airport manager Fraport AG and air taxi developer Volocopter are cooperating. Together, they intend to develop concepts for the ground infrastructure and the operation of air taxis at airports.
The Volocopter at Frankfurt airport
Illustration: Fraport | Volocopter
Fraport and Volocopter are working on airport infrastructure and passenger procedures for future air taxis. The main focus will be on smooth passenger handling and efficient connections to the existing transport infrastructure. “Autonomous flying will fundamentally change aviation in the years to come. We want to be the first airport in Europe to harness the potential of electric air taxis in partnership with pioneer Volocopter – for the benefit of our passengers and the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region," says Anke Giesen, Fraport AG's executive board member for operations (COO).
The airport manager offers expertise in ground infrastructure, ground handling, and terminal and passenger services. Via its "FraDrones" program, Fraport has also already tested various scenarios for using drones for operational purposes. "Together with Fraport AG, we are excited to pioneer the implementation of an air taxi service at one of Europe's most important airports. We will be tapping into Fraport's wealth of experience to integrate the Volocopter Service safely and efficiently into the complex array of processes required at a major international airport,” says Florian Reuter, CEO of Volocopter GmbH. The Volocopter electric drone (eVTOL), capable of vertical take-offs, offers enough room for two people.