Under Which Conditions will “Flying Taxis” Become Relevant for Inner-City Passenger Transport in the Future?

Current available modes of transportations are under great stress due to the rise of population and increased urbanization. Confronting the real scenario, Urban Air mobility (UAM) is one of the recent technological innovations which is being considered as a potential means of passenger transport mode for intra and inter-urban destinations. The most interesting feature of UAM or more specifically flying taxis, is that they could offer to reduce CO
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emissions, congestion, traffic jams and travel time in urban contexts. Economic constraints, requirements of infrastructure, regulations are the key concerns that should be considered for the scenario of the recent market. In this paper, the scenario analysis methodology has enabled us to identify the key influencing factors and barriers, in other words the conditions, using scenario analysis tools such as PESTEL Analysis and Impact-Uncertainty Analysis. Considering the high impact megatrends and SDG goals, four future scenarios have been assumed. This technological assessment has given us deeper insights to set business goals, recommendations for upcoming 20-year period. Finally, we have discussed the limitation and scope of further research.