Robert Lauer envisions an electric helicopter taxi service to connect Las Vegas attractions efficiently
Las Vegas: Robert Lauer, the guy behind the Las Vegas Spaceport, has a cool idea. He wants to start an electric helicopter taxi service to connect the spaceport with the Strip and other spots in the city.
He’s calling it UpWin, and it’s kind of like Uber for air travel. Lauer thinks this service is needed because more tourists are coming to the area, and they want quick ways to get around.
He mentioned that the Las Vegas Executive Airport, which is about 31 miles from the Strip, could be linked with regular helicopter rides. But he realized that the whole region could benefit from a broader air taxi service.
Interestingly, Delta’s CEO also talked about a similar idea at a recent tech event. He mentioned using electric helicopters to help Delta passengers get to airports in cities like Los Angeles and New York.
Lauer’s plan is to set up landing spots all over Las Vegas, making it easy for people to hop on a quick flight. He estimates flights would only take about three minutes and cost around $30 to $40, similar to an Uber ride.
Besides just getting people around, UpWin could also help with emergency medical transport. Lauer is open to starting with traditional helicopters while waiting for electric ones to be ready.
He’s even thinking about using the rooftops of parking garages at resorts for helipads. Companies like Joby Aviation are already working on electric aircraft that could fit this vision.
Initially, Lauer plans to use regular helicopters, which can make the trip from the spaceport to the Strip in about 15 minutes. He’s done it himself and thinks most flights will be super quick, linking popular spots like restaurants and convention centers.
Once electric helicopters are approved, the options could really expand. At a recent aviation trade show, eVTOL aircraft were a hot topic, showing that there’s a lot of interest in this kind of transport.
Of course, there are hurdles to jump over first. The FAA needs to give the green light for these electric aircraft to carry passengers, and Lauer will have to set up a network of helipads across the city.
He also mentioned that they’d need to create specific airspace for these flights, kind of like sky highways, to keep everything safe and organized.
FAA officials have stressed the importance of getting electric aircraft approved for passenger use, so it looks like there’s a lot of work ahead for Lauer and his team.
For more info, you can reach out to Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or call 702-477-3893. Follow him on X at @RickVelotta.
