Jakarta. The future capital city of Indonesia, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), is progressing towards becoming a smart and sustainable future city. Among the innovative transportation solutions introduced is the flying taxi, an advanced mode of transportation expected to be the future of mobility in Nusantara.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has announced that Nusantara will lead the way in smart transportation, particularly focusing on electric vehicles (EVs). The objective is to ensure that all vehicles within and around the city are electric.

Last year, the Nusantara Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea's Hyundai on advanced air mobility. Hyundai plans to launch a trial run for its air taxis in the new capital in July 2024.

Indonesia is also in talks with Wisk Aero, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American airplane manufacturer Boeing, to introduce air taxis in Nusantara. These discussions are still at an early stage.

Here’s what we know about the air taxi so far:

The flying taxi models projected for IKN are the Hyundai Supernal eVTOL S-A2 and Wisk Aero's air taxi.

• Hyundai Supernal eVTOL S-A2:

  • Design: V-tail aircraft
  • Speed: 120 mph (193 km/h)
  • Altitude: 1,500 feet
  • Range: 25 to 40 miles (40 to 64 km)
  • Propulsion: Distributed electric propulsion with eight tilting rotors
  • Noise Level: 65 dB during vertical take-off and landing, 45 dB in horizontal flight
  • Capacity: Hyundai’s air taxi can carry up to five people, including a pilot.

• Wisk Aero's Air Taxi:

  • Power: All-electric
  • Classification: eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing)
  • Configuration: Lift + lift/cruise
  • Operation: Autonomous with human oversight
  • Cruising Altitude: 2,500 – 4,000 feet
  • Dimensions: <50-foot wingspan
  • Range: 90 miles (144 km)
  • Speed: 110-120 knots
  • Charge Time: 15 minutes
  • Capacity: 4 seats plus room for carry-on luggage

Trials and Implementation
The Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) plans to conduct flying taxi trials in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, in July 2024. If successful, flying taxis could become operational in Nusantara within the next few years.

Enhancing Mobility
These flying taxis will facilitate mobility by providing access to remote areas that are difficult to reach by land transportation, such as hills and forests. This innovation can open up various regions in and around Nusantara more easily and quickly.

Cost
Deputy for Green and Digital Transformation at OIKN, Mohammed Ali Berawi, estimates the fare for IKN flying taxis to be around Rp 750,000 ($46) for a 100 km journey. This rate is comparable to premium taxi fares in Jakarta. This estimate is preliminary, and final fares may vary based on factors such as distance, flight time, and government subsidies.