A nationwide study by Horizon Aircraft, a Canadian-based company specialising in hybrid electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aerial vehicles found that 73 per cent of Canadians support the development of the air taxi and eVTOL industry.
Nearly four out of five (78 per cent) would be happy to fly in them once they are commercially operational. Just 7 per cent said they would never use an eVTOL, while 15 per cent are currently undecided. A major reason driving support for the industry is the potential to create jobs and boost the Canadian economy, whilst also helping cut greenhouse gas emissions by reducing traffic congestion.
Industry data shows the global air taxi and urban air mobility industry is forecast to see revenues grow from $2.3bn in 2021 to as much as $30.7bn by 2031, with more than 430,000 air taxis operating worldwide.
The research by Horizon, which has developed an innovative hybrid eVTOL that flies most of its mission exactly like a normal aircraft, found that 75 per cent of Canadians believe the jobs boost for Canada should increase government support for the sector, while 68 per cent want the government to target becoming a world leader in eVTOL development.
Image credit: Horizon Aircraft
Nearly seven out of 10 (69 per cent) of Canadians believe the country's geography and landmass give it major advantages over other countries and present a compelling case for developing a strong eVTOL market.
Around 74 per cent believe using eVTOLs will benefit urban areas by cutting traffic congestion and its impact on the environment.
Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft, said: "The eVTOL market is expanding rapidly and will soon be a major global industry, which Canada can become a world leader in.
"We already have strong support from regulators and the government and public support is increasing as people see the opportunities to create jobs and generate revenue to support the economy while also benefiting the environment."
Image credit: Horizon Aircraft
Horizon Aircraft is building a new hybrid eVTOL aircraft that may be used by business aviation travellers as early as 2026. Its Cavorite X5 (prototype pictured above) is an eVTOL built for longer-range regional passenger or cargo, as well as special missions. It is being designed to take off and land vertically like a helicopter, but fly almost twice as fast at a fraction of the cost. Horizon intends the X5 to have a maximum passenger capacity of four people plus the pilot, a payload of 500kg (1,100lb) and an average flying range of 500 miles (800km) with full fuel reserves.
The study was conducted in May by independent research agency Pure Profile on behalf of Horizon, polling a nationally representative sample of 1,000 Canadians aged 18-plus, which included 203 who currently live in or have lived in a remote area of Canada and are thus inclined to be interested in the eVTOL concept.
