Flying taxis could become a reality in two years

The first piloted flying taxi could take to the skies in two years under new government plans.

The Department of Transport (DoT) has released its Future of Flight Action Plan which sets out a 'roadmap' for the use of drones in the UK. The plan proposes piloted flying taxis in the coming two years and flying taxis without pilots on board by 2030.

It also foresees the regular use of crime-fighting drones and critical care 999 deliveries by the end of the decade. The plan would mean the adoption of technology 'once confined to the realm of sci-fi', according to the DoT, with drone technology boosting the country's economy by £45 billion by 2030.

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Aviation and technology minister Anthony Browne said: "Cutting-edge battery technology will revolutionise transport as we know it. This plan will make sure we have the infrastructure and regulation in place to make it a reality. From flying taxis to emergency service drones, we're making sure the UK is at the forefront of this dramatic shift in transportation, improving people's lives and boosting the economy."

The proposals would also allow drones to fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) so the sector can grow without limiting the skies for other aircraft. They also aim to reinvigorate smaller aerodromes by setting out how they can operate as vertiports for electric aircraft that take off vertically (known as electric vertical take-off and landing or eVTOL aircraft).

The plans develop standards to improve security for drones to boost public safety and look at ways of involving communities and local authorities so they can benefit from the potential economic and social benefits. The action plan was announced as Mr Browne was set