Air taxis in Utah are one step closer to reality
Jan 28, 2025, 2:27 PM
A Beta aircraft model is pictured at the Capitol after a Memorandum of Understanding with Beta Technologies, an industry-leading electric aircraft and charging manufacturer, and 47G Utah Aerospace & Defense was signed at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — On Tuesday the state took a big step toward creating a system for air taxis in Utah.
Gov. Spencer Cox met with leaders of Beta Technologies and 47G to sign a memorandum of understanding. It shows Cox’s support for their goals and pledges to help create a vertical air transportation system.
According to Cox, this kind of innovation is exactly what the state needs to help build a future for the next generation. He also said this type of innovation hasn’t been seen in decades.
“The stuff they’re doing is the stuff that hasn’t been done for 60 or 70 years.”
Utah is building the future of transportation with electric aircraft and charging networks, paving the way for cleaner air and faster commutes throughout our state.
Today, the CEO of Beta Technologies joined us in Utah to chart a new paradigm of mobility, built here. pic.twitter.com/08147tdi3j
— Governor Cox (@GovCox) January 28, 2025
The two companies are working closely with the Utah Department of Transportation, the Utah Inland Port Authority and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.
Air taxis in Utah will ‘improve the economy of flying’
The tech companies and the GOEO said the transportation system will provide cost-effective mobility, shorter commute times, increased access for communities across the state, and improved air quality with clean energy solutions.
The air taxis are “a whole class of aircraft that lowers the cost, lowers the noise and improves the economy of flying,” CEO and founder of Beta Technologies Kyle Clark told Dave & Dujanovic.
And, Clark said they’re safer than other types of air travel.
“Electric is fundamentally safer than turbine and jet A-powered helicopters and airplanes. Not only are you flying a much less volatile energy storage, but it’s implemented in a modern airplane.”
The sensors, systems and technology are “safer than the existing technologies,” Clark said.
A Beta aircraft model is pictured at the Capitol after a Memorandum of Understanding with Beta Technologies, an industry-leading electric aircraft and charging manufacturer, and 47G Utah Aerospace & Defense was signed at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
Clark said that air taxis in Utah will be up and running soon.
“… We’re putting in chargers through the Department of Transportation here in Utah at airports and then eventually at vertiports. And we’re starting by moving medical, cargo, and logistics, and then moving people over the next two years,” Clark said.
