India shortlisted among 5 countries for Uber flying cabs

Uber on Thursday shortlisted India among five countries that could host the ride-hailing company's first international Uber Air city within the next five years.

After evaluating countries across the world, Uber Elevate, the aerial taxi arm of the ride-hailing company, shortlisted Japan, India, Australia, Brazil and France. The announcement was made at the first Uber Elevate Asia Pacific Expo in Tokyo.

Uber will select a city from one of these five countries as its third flying taxi launch location, following Dallas and Los Angeles in the US.

Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru are among the cities being considered in India because of their severe traffic congestion. Uber said that travelling even a few kilometres in these cities can take more than an hour.

"Uber Air offers tremendous potential to help create a transportation option that goes over congestion, instead of adding to it," the company said in a statement.

Uber Elevate also announced plans to conduct experiments involving drone deliveries for Uber Eats and demonstrated how potential Uber Air routes could integrate with transportation systems in cities across the Asia-Pacific region.

"We are proud to host the first ever Uber Elevate Asia Pacific Expo. We are announcing a shortlist of five countries where Uber Air can immediately transform transportation and take our technology to new heights," said Eric Allison, Head of Uber Aviation Programmes.

Under the proposed service, customers in selected launch cities could book an on-demand flight through Uber within the next five years.

To make the service possible, Uber has brought together partners from areas including aircraft manufacturing, real estate and technology.

Dallas and Los Angeles were previously announced as Uber's first two US launch cities. At its second annual Uber Elevate Summit in May, the company said it was looking for an international city to become its third launch partner.

Japan also sees potential in flying taxis for reducing urban traffic congestion, improving connectivity between city centres and remote islands and mountainous regions, promoting tourism and supporting disaster relief operations.

"We see much potential in flying cars, and we anticipate that flying cars can be used not only to help solve traffic congestion in urban areas, but it will also help with increase mobility between city centres and remote islands and mountainous areas, promote tourism in Japan as well as enhance disaster relief operations," said Daisaku Hiraki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Uber said its Elevate team would engage with stakeholders in major cities across the five shortlisted countries before selecting the international launch city within six months.

The selection will be based on three key criteria: market size, local commitment and enabling conditions.