The Olympics appear to be a catalyst for the advancement of eVTOL technology. Recent news highlights Volocopter’s launch of the world’s first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vertiport at Paris’ Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr l’École, alongside its test flights of the VoloCity aircraft. Meanwhile, Archer has unveiled plans for a network of vertiports around Los Angeles to support its five-person Midnight eVTOL, aiming for operational status by the 2028 Summer Games and potentially debuting the first location by the 2026 World Cup.
While the Olympics might not directly influence these advancements, the high demand for efficient transportation during major events could drive significant progress in electric air taxis. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the potential of innovation and clean energy to address major challenges, noting that California will also host the 2026 World Cup.
For Volocopter, the new vertiport and its hover flights mark the start of an “operational validation phase.” This initial vertiport will serve as a prototype and data collection point for establishing a commercial eVTOL network in France, with hopes of it becoming a model for other cities. The company has already begun testing maneuvers, ground handling, and communication with air traffic control.
Volocopter’s progress has faced delays due to objections from Paris City Council and the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion, which opposes eVTOL operations in Europe. However, recent approvals from French authorities have allowed Volocopter to prepare for flights during the Olympics, with plans to land on a Seine River float near the Austerlitz railway station. Despite setbacks in engine certification, the company remains optimistic about demonstrating the potential of small electric aircraft.
Dan Sloat, executive director of the Advanced Air Mobility Institute, noted that while the grand debut Volocopter envisioned may be scaled back, the company aims to connect flights between Saint-Cyr l’École and the Issy-les-Moulineaux heliport by year’s end. The proposed vertiport on the River Seine may face too much controversy to become permanent.
Europe’s aviation authority, EASA, still needs to certify Volocopter’s aircraft before it can scale operations.
In the U.S., Archer has announced a similar network plan for San Francisco and has had a successful year, including a test flight of its Midnight air taxi and partnerships with Southwest and United Airlines. Designed for short, high-speed flights, the Midnight aims to transform one- to two-hour commutes into 10- to 20-minute journeys, with vertiports planned at SoFi Stadium and USC.
Archer CEO Adam Goldstein highlighted the company’s goal to provide a safer, faster, and more sustainable alternative to LA’s notorious traffic. Sloat believes Archer’s timeline for the first LA vertiport by 2026 and a full network by 2028 is feasible, though he stresses the need for prioritizing aviation-charging infrastructure over the next four years.
Challenges in establishing infrastructure are significant, but Sloat suggests following Volocopter’s example of partnering with emergency medical services, like Germany’s ADAC, to integrate eVTOLs with traditional helicopters. Such use cases could demonstrate the practical value of eVTOLs and build public trust.
