Volocopter Races Toward Paris 2024 Air Taxi Launch
In Bruchsal, Germany, electric air taxi developer Volocopter is pushing ahead with plans to debut its urban aerial mobility service in Europe during the Paris Olympics in 2024. The company envisions passengers paying between $200 and $300 for short flights over cityscapes, with initial routes mapped for Paris and Rome. Binding agreements are already in place, and preparations include opening a French office to support operations. “We are looking for offices right now and recruiting people there,” said Christian Bauer, Volocopter’s Chief Commercial Officer, during a meeting at a small airport in Benton County, Arkansas.
Bauer was attending the UP.Summit, a mobility-focused conference hosted by UP.Partners alongside Tom and Steuart Walton and Ross Perot Jr., where aerospace and drone innovators such as Alphabet Wing, Boeing, DroneUp, and Wisk showcased technologies. Volocopter’s prototype was on display, representing years of engineering effort toward safe, quiet, zero-emission flight.
The timeline to 2024 is tight. No electric air taxi company has yet secured full certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for commercial passenger service. Volocopter has obtained two of the four EASA licenses required, but still needs an operating license and type certification. Type certification would confirm the aircraft’s airworthiness and permit vertical take-off and landing. Of more than 130 projects seeking such approval, only the Pipistrel Velis Electro, a two-seat electric airplane, has succeeded so far. Volocopter began pursuing certification in 2017 and initiated FAA engagement in 2021.
Testing has been extensive. Bauer noted over 1,200 flights have been conducted across the company’s passenger and cargo platforms. The latest addition, the VoloConnect, completed its first flight last month. Designed to carry four passengers up to 70 miles, it targets entry into service by 2026. “With future technology, we can nearly double that range. I would assume that [would happen in] the next three to five years,” Bauer said.
Financially, Volocopter remains privately held, relying on investor backing rather than public markets. Early crowdfunding helped establish the company, which now employs about 600 people. While rivals like Joby Aviation and Vertical Aerospace went public during favorable market conditions, both have seen share prices drop roughly 30% since the start of the year. Volocopter explored a SPAC merger but ultimately abandoned the plan, opting instead to raise capital privately. In early 2021, it secured more than $243 million from investors including Intel Capital, Japan Airlines, and BlackRock. Fundraising continued into late 2021, with a first close of its Series E round at $153 million earlier this year. Bauer confirmed ongoing efforts to complete the round, with a mix of returning and new investors.
Market turbulence has not dampened Bauer’s confidence. “You wouldn’t believe it, but I really feel we are in a very comfortable position right now,” he said, suggesting that staying private offers advantages over publicly traded competitors. He described a strong investor pipeline and adequate runway from existing funds to sustain development toward launch.
Leadership changes are also underway. Dirk Hoke, former CEO of Airbus Defence & Space, will assume the role of Volocopter CEO later this year. Current chief executive Florian Reuter is stepping down voluntarily, having proposed Hoke as his successor to guide the company into its next phase.
Beyond the business strategy, Bauer expressed enthusiasm for the environmental benefits of electric air taxis—lower emissions, reduced noise, and the potential for more affordable air transport over time. His personal highlight came when his 10-year-old son watched a Volocopter flight in their hometown. “He was proud of what his dad was doing,” Bauer said.
The path to Paris 2024 demands regulatory breakthroughs, continued investor confidence, and flawless execution. Volocopter’s progress reflects both the promise and the complexity of bringing electric vertical mobility from prototype to passenger service.
