VOLOCOPTER’S VOLOCITY SECURES PERMISSION FOR OLYMPIC FLIGHTS
The Volocopter Volocity eVTOL became the first electric air taxi authorised to operate over Paris when France's official gazette published an ordinance granting the German aircraft manufacturer exclusive access to the newly established Vertiport de Paris-Austerlitz heliport on the banks of the Seine during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The site sits in the 13th arrondissement and was designated exclusively for Volocopter's 18-rotor flying taxis, marking a landmark moment for urban air mobility in Europe.
What is the Volocopter Volocity?
The VoloCity is a two-seat, 18-rotor eVTOL aircraft with a range of approximately 35 km and a top speed of 110 km/h. Volocopter, founded in Germany, has positioned the VoloCity as an urban air taxi designed to carry one or two passengers on short hops across congested cities, reducing journey times that would otherwise take 50 to 100 minutes by road. The aircraft's multi-rotor configuration prioritises safety redundancy and low acoustic impact, two factors central to its certification strategy.
EASA certification and Paris reaction
Despite securing the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) permit to fly in Paris, Volocopter's broader EASA type certification remained under evaluation at the time of the Olympic Games, with the delays centring on the certification of the aircraft's motors. Paris City Hall raised concerns about potential noise pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption linked to the 18-rotor design. Local councils placed the project under scrutiny, and test flights were relocated to Pontoise Airfield to demonstrate viability ahead of the event. The Olympic flights were tightly regulated, limited to between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm with a maximum of two flights per hour, and a ceiling of 900 total operations during the Games period.
What comes after Paris? Volocopter's global expansion plans
Paris served as a high-profile demonstration platform, but Volocopter's roadmap extends well beyond the French capital. The company has announced plans to introduce VoloCity services in Rome, Osaka, and NEOM in Saudi Arabia. Post-Olympic operations are envisioned at altitudes ranging from 120 to 300 metres, which opens the door to broader commercial air taxi routes. Volocopter is simultaneously pursuing EASA type certification and developing an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programme in Germany with its partner ADAC Luftrettung, underscoring the aircraft's potential beyond pure passenger transport.
For further reading, see the eVTOL coverage by Designboom and the certification analysis by Aviation Week. Explore more electric aircraft and flying vehicles in the air collection and the full Volocopter series at TheArsenale.
Photo: Volocopter
