‘Air taxis’ could be flying in Irish skies within three years, according to a County Clare future transport company.

Future Mobility Campus Ireland has said the first test flights for passenger-carrying drones could start by the end of the year.

It expects the drones to be operational by 2027.

The Shannon-based company made the commitment to mark World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development.

Future Mobility Campus Ireland CEO Russell Vickers

The company’s CEO Russell Vickers told Newstalk the aircraft are essentially electric helicopters.

“In the short term, most aircraft manufacturers are looking to have pilots in the seat because obviously most people want to see pilots in their aircraft.

“They are capable of vertical take-off and landing like a helicopter but also some aircraft can also use the runways.

“The idea is to get you from somewhere like an airport into a city centre.”

Air Taxi

The drones will be capable of carrying up to four passengers at a time, with initial flight tests to be carried out at the Future Mobility Campus Ireland centre in Clare.

Future Mobility Campus Ireland provides space and facilities for researchers, software developers and companies to test their innovations.

Mr Vickers said Ireland is well-placed to put itself to the forefront of the sustainable transport industry.

“Ireland has never been in a position to compete for the kind of heavy industry involved in fossil fuel powered transport; however, as renewable and sustainable factors become more important, we know we have the technological talent to put ourselves at the forefront of innovation for an industry that’s set to evolve for many years to come,” he said.

TRA2024

The plans are due to be unveiled at the TRA2024 conference at the RDS in Dublin in April.

The event is the largest European gathering to address all aspects of transport and mobility.

With reporting from Emma Tyrell.

Main image shows the electric the Volocity Volocopter air taxi in the exhibition hall at the three-day "European Rotors" trade fair in Germany, 16-11-2021. Image: Oliver Berg/dpa/Alamy.