Air Taxis To Fill Need for 6M Pax Trips Annually

There is a demand for about six million passenger trips per year in a mature air taxi system, according to an independent analysis by the Velocity Group. The demand calls for about 2,500 very light jets (VLJs) over the next decade, said the group, which added that while demand may be high, not all areas will served. Differences in city sizes, location and existing air service patterns lead to the conclusion that air taxis will be concentrated in the Southeast and Northeast-North Central states, and possibly Texas and California. Other locations are far less likely to economically support on-demand service using very light jets. The new transportation method has stirred considerable interest after the move by Express Jet to develop corporate shuttles and the interest expressed by SkyWest in the market. Indeed, such services could create a new air transportation paradigm which Regional Aviation News analyzed in depth in the November 13 issue. For a complete report on Velocity’s forecast see the December 12 issue of Regional Aviation News.