It sounds like something out of a movie, but that talk of “in the future, we will have flying cars” may be very real. That’s because both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro plan to adapt their urban airports for the operation of eVTOLs, electric aircraft that take off and land vertically and promise to revolutionize transportation in large cities.
Currently, the projects are in their early stages and seek to transform the air infrastructure of large cities to enable this new mode of transportation. Learn more!
Understand the technological concept behind these aircraft
Photo: Disclosure | Embraer
Although the term “flying cars” is the most commonly used by the public, these vehicles are more like giant drones than conventional automobiles. eVTOLs (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) operate with electric motors and do not depend on long runways to take off or land, which allows them to be used in small spaces in urban centers.
The main objective of this technology is to provide fast and sustainable travel, emitting less noise and pollutants than helicopters. In addition, companies are designing these vehicles to work in conjunction with the transportation systems we already use, functioning as extra support for mobility in capital cities.
Jacarepaguá Airport and Campo de Marte on the mobility radar
Photo: Disclosure | Embraer
In São Paulo, authorities see Campo de Marte as a strategic location for the creation of vertiports. In Rio de Janeiro, Jacarepaguá Airport emerges as the main candidate to house the infrastructure necessary for the operation of this new air transport mode.
As both terminals already focus on executive aviation and occupy central locations, adapting them for eVTOLs seems a natural step. This transition would transform the aerodromes into key points for the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers seeking to escape ground traffic.
Does the “flying car” project already have a start date?
The idea is ambitious, and the road to making it a reality is still long. Therefore, the projects do not yet mean immediate commercial flights.
Before that, infrastructure development, technical testing, aeronautical certifications, and regulatory approvals are necessary. The announcement may point to a strategic direction, but large-scale operation is still a long way off.