SAO PAULO: A network of electric aircraft Uber Technologies Inc is developing with Embraer SA is likely to launch commercially in 2024, the Brazilian planemaker's chief executive said on Friday, adding a year to the latest forecast from the ride-hailing company.
Embraer Chief Executive Paulo Cesar de Souza told journalists the business model and financial commitments of the partnership have not been defined. Uber Chief Product Officer Jeff Holden said last month that a paid, intra-city flying taxi service could start in 2023.
Souza said the companies would soon determine specifications of the proposed vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
Engineers are projecting one-tonne vehicles transporting a pilot and four passengers at an altitude of 800 to 1,000 meters (2,600-3,300 feet), Souza said. The aircraft will be powered by batteries that can charge in as little as five minutes between flights, he added.
The project has provided an outlet for engineering resources at Embraer, whose newest planes - a military cargo jet and a new generation of passenger jets - are well into their flight testing campaigns.
Some 65 international delegations have shown interest in the KC-390 military transport aircraft that will enter the Brazilian Air Force next year, Souza said.
The transition to a new commercial jet line-up is pressuring operations, but Souza said Embraer would meet the bottom end of its 2017 profit margin and aircraft delivery targets.
(Reporting by Brad Haynes; Editing by Richard Chang)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Embraer Chief Executive Paulo Cesar de Souza told journalists the business model and financial commitments of the partnership have not been defined. Uber Chief Product Officer Jeff Holden said last month that a paid, intra-city flying taxi service could start in 2023.
Souza said the companies would soon determine specifications of the proposed vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The project has provided an outlet for engineering resources at Embraer, whose newest planes - a military cargo jet and a new generation of passenger jets - are well into their flight testing campaigns.
Advertisement
The transition to a new commercial jet line-up is pressuring operations, but Souza said Embraer would meet the bottom end of its 2017 profit margin and aircraft delivery targets.
Advertisement
© Thomson Reuters 2017
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Uber Passenger Asked Driver To Switch On AC. What Happened Next Was A Nightmare Woman In New York Ditches Uber And Travels By Helicopter Instead, Tweet Has 4 Million Views US Billionaire Bill Ackman Accuses Uber Of "Ripping Off" Cab Driver, CEO Reacts BJP Plans UP Overhaul After Lok Sabha Poll Drubbing: Sources "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post In Massive Row Over Karnataka 100% Quota Bill, Chief Minister Deletes Post FMGE 2024: Results Out For Foreign Medical Graduates Examination Mercedes-Benz Wishbox Campaign Launched, Aimed To Reinforce Accessibility All You Need To Know About New UK Government's Key Policy Plans Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.