Nick Carey

LONDON (Reuters), AIR, an Israeli startup, has revealed its first “easy to operate” electric, vertically takeoff and land (eVTOL), plane. It will be selling directly to customers primarily in the United States in 2024.

AIR, Chief Executive Rani Plaut stated that the company has been in partnership with the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority for over two years. They expect to be certified by 2023 for the AIR ONE. This two-seater aircraft, 970kg (2,138 lb), eVTOL will fly 110 miles (177km) and can carry passengers.

AIR has run unmanned test of its vehicle since last year, after it raised seed funds of just $10 million. Plaut indicated that the company is still building prototype models, and plans to sell its electric vehicles for about the same as an expensive automobile, although he did not give any further details.

eVTOL startup growth has been accelerated by an increasing number of aviation companies and investors who are investing in the still-to-be approved urban air mobility market.

Joby Aviation is now a public air taxi firm. This merger was made with Vertical Aerospace, a blank check company, and Vertical Aerospace. Vertical Aerospace currently has pre-orders of up to 1000 eVTOL aircraft from launch customers Avolon Airlines (NASDAQ:). The merger will be with Broadstone Acquisition Corp.

Plaut stated that AIR will only be available to those who are able to use the “fly-by-intent” software without having to become fully qualified pilots.

He stated that “our focus is completely personal.” He said, “We are not talking about commercial aircraft. We are talking about people using it as much as we use cars.”

The United States boasts a large amount of open airspace, making it a good market to start AIR ONE. According to Plaut, AIR anticipates that demand will reach 15,000 vehicles per year.

AIR currently raises additional funds in order to complete the FAA certification process. However, AIR did not reveal how much.