WITH streets filled with potholes, buses erupting in flames and soul-crushing traffic on the ground in the Eternal City, some say the only way is up.
A new electric air taxi could be transporting passengers from Rome's Fiumicino Airport to the city centre within three years, according to German company Volocopter, Rome's airport operator ADR and transportation infrastructure holding company Atlantia.
The project, called VoloCity -- which is also planned for Paris and Singapore promises to whisk people from the airport to the city in 20 minutes, with no traffic and zero emissions, travelling at a maximum speed of 110 kilometres per hour.
Initially, the taxi will carry the pilot plus one passenger, "until the aircraft will fly completely autonomously," when it will be able to take two passengers, read a joint press release announcing plans.
Still required for the Fiumicino project is the development of "vertiports" to allow the taxis to take off and land vertically.
In Rome on Thursday, the gleaming white Volocopter flying taxi was parked in a square near the Trevi Fountain where curious onlookers were allowed to board.
"I would have liked them to have thought more about the railway system before going up into the sky," said 32-year-old Giuseppe, who declined to give his last name.
Still, he conceded: "This is a leap into the future. We talk about going to Mars, so this is the least we can do."
Local news reports put the price of the planned 20-minute ride from Fiumicino to the city centre at 140 euros ($161), compared to a taxi, which costs 48 euros, or a 32-minute train for 14 euros.
Italy's ancient capital suffers from a notoriously creaky public transportation system, with pothole-laden roads that wreak havoc on tyres, ageing buses that sporadically go up in flames and metro stations often shuttered for months.
The idea of flying taxis eventually without pilots has spread worldwide, part of a push to ease congestion on roads and limit pollution.
Various companies, including ride-services giant Uber and automaker General Motors, are working on "vertical take off and landing aircraft" (VTOL), but major challenges remain, including regulatory issues and safety concerns.
ETX Studio
Fri Nov 05 2021
![Air taxis promised to fly above potholes of Rome Air taxis promised to fly above potholes of Rome](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-11/51636078952_VOLOCOPTER.jpg)
People look at a VoloCity drone, the innovative air taxi created by the German company Volocopter, displayed at the Piazza San Silvestro in Rome. - ETX Studio
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
![Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723653359_TBMOKHTAR.jpg)
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
PN senarai pendek tiga calon, akan diumum selepas PRK Nenggiri
Perikatan Nasional telah menyenarai pendek tiga calon untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 28 September depan.
![10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu 10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41722145972_KebakaranGeneric.jpg)
10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu
Menurut PGOB kesemua mangsa yang cedera telah dikejarkan ke Hospital Bintulu untuk rawatan lanjut.
![Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61713736324_HusseinOmarKhan.jpg)
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar yang ditemukan di Sungai Klang petang tadi dibawa ke Unit Forensik Hospital Shah Alam (HSA) untuk urusan bedah siasat.
![Padah tersasul sebut 'Thighland', Trump dipersenda netizen Padah tersasul sebut 'Thighland', Trump dipersenda netizen](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-08/51596685038_TBDonaldTrump.jpg)
Padah tersasul sebut 'Thighland', Trump dipersenda netizen
Pengguna Twitter memberi reaksi dengan bertindak balas memasukkan unsur seperti 'lucah' dalam setiap ciapan yang dibuat.
![COVID-19: Kisah virus 'misteri' di Itali COVID-19: Kisah virus 'misteri' di Itali](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-03/61585042343_TurinItaly.jpg)
COVID-19: Kisah virus 'misteri' di Itali
Penularan virus korona (COVID-19) di negara Itali dianggap sebagai "misteri" oleh rakyatnya.
![COVID-19: Itali catat 627 kematian, 5,986 kes dalam satu hari COVID-19: Itali catat 627 kematian, 5,986 kes dalam satu hari](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-03/81584746084_coronavirus.jpg)
COVID-19: Itali catat 627 kematian, 5,986 kes dalam satu hari
Ia merupakan peningkatan tertinggi yang pernah direkodkan negara itu.
![COVID-19: Itali catat rekod 250 kematian dalam 24 jam COVID-19: Itali catat rekod 250 kematian dalam 24 jam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-03/71584152280_COVIDNovelKoro.jpg)
COVID-19: Itali catat rekod 250 kematian dalam 24 jam
Dengan jumlah itu, Itali kini menjadi negara tertinggi dari segi jumlah kematian dalam tempoh sehari.
![Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) ditangguhkan sehingga 4 April Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) ditangguhkan sehingga 4 April](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-03/51584107347_TBMikelArtetaCallum.jpg)
Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) ditangguhkan sehingga 4 April
Penangguhan sehingga 4 April itu dibuat selepas pengendali Arsenal, Mikel Arteta dan pemain sayap Chelsea, Callum Hudson-Odoi sah dijangkiti COVID-19.
![Sepanyol dan Itali menang, Ireland kecewa Sepanyol dan Itali menang, Ireland kecewa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-06/81465865955_ItalyBelgium.jpg)
Sepanyol dan Itali menang, Ireland kecewa
Sepanyol memulakan kempen mempertahankan kejuaraan dengan kemenangan 1-0 ke atas Republik Czech, Itali kalahkan Belgium manakala Ireland seri akibat gol sendiri.