Vehicles of tomorrow move step closer to takeoff

Statistics show that more than 200,000 general aviation aircraft, including helicopters and private jets, were operating in the US by the end of 2020, and about 136,000 in Europe.

China is gradually opening up its lower-altitude airspace for civilian use, and is thus a market with big potential for flying cars.

According to a medium- to long-term blueprint, China will step up research and development of flying cars, calling for breakthroughs in the integration of such cars and traditional vehicles, as well as a seamless transition between flying and road driving.

Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said the large-scale use of flying cars will take at least 10 to 15 years, adding that a feasible way to achieve this is to introduce these cars stage by stage, initially in less-populated areas.

Yet the emerging flying vehicle sector is gradually being viewed as a serious solution to urban traffic congestion and a new alternative to personal mobility in cities.

The sector is expected to grow into a market valued at $1 trillion by 2040 and $9 trillion by 2050, according to global financial services company Morgan Stanley.

Global consultancy Roland Berger estimates that up to 160,000 flying vehicles will be operating as air taxis by 2050.