The US aviation company Boeing has completed its first successful test flight with an autonomous electric air taxi. With the prototype in Manassas in the US state of Virginia a controlled start and hovering and landing succeeded, the group said on Wednesday.

This was the first test phase went through. It is still unclear when air taxis are allowed and if they could ever prevail in public transport.

AFP

The prototype during the test flight

Boeing still called the premiere a milestone. "Within a year, we came from concept design to the flying prototype," said Technology Director Greg Hyslop. However, the US company itself acknowledged that the biggest challenge with the transition phase to the application of different types of aircraft is yet to come.

With the project, the US group is fueling the competition for the development of autonomous taxis. Also rival Airbus or helicopter specialist Bell, as well as German start-ups such as Volocopter and Lilium are working on concepts for autonomous passenger aircraft.

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Most air taxi prototypes being researched are similar to oversized drones that could carry few passengers. Optimists hope that the construction method can massively increase energy and cost efficiency. Skeptics consider the possibilities for limited and refer to high regulatory hurdles.