The government on Tuesday pledged comprehensive support toward a pilot program for a commercial air taxi service on the southern resort island of Jeju.

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province aims to launch the pilot program on Jeju Island in 2025 in partnership with an urban air mobility (UAM) consortium comprised of public and private firms, including SK Telecom Co. and Hanwha Systems Co.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced a range of support measures centered around Jeju’s air taxi project at a government policy debate forum attended by President Yoon Suk Yeol on Jeju Island.

The government and the province plan to establish vertiports for air taxi takeoffs and landings initially in three locations: Jeju International Airport, Seongsan Port in Seogwipo and the Jungmun Tourist Complex. The pilot operation will focus on verifying the safety and commercial viability of UAM routes based at these locations.

The pilot service will also test the conditions for UAM use in public and g
eneral transportation, including emergency medical services, officials said. Jeju plans to apply for the designation of UAM pilot operation zones in 2025.

Authorities plan to draw up and establish relevant regulations based on findings and results from the pilot project.

Aircraft from Joby Aviation, a U.S. air taxi developer in partnership with the consortium, will be used in the project. Aircraft from local companies, such as Hyundai Motor Group and Hanwha Systems, are also expected to be deployed for the full-fledged commercialization, envisioned to begin in 2028.

The province plans to utilize the service for various tourism purposes by benchmarking helicopter tour programs in Hawaii and other popular destinations.

A ministry official said the project is “expected to boost local tourism and contribute to the growth of Korea’s early UAM market.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency