Could air taxis appear in Russia's regions within the next ten years?

Yes, but only if the infrastructure is in place and certifications are successful, the Russian Ministry of Transport is confident. But with unmanned aircraft, it's more complicated.

"Fully unmanned passenger airliners are a more distant prospect, likely implemented in stages and on limited routes," the Ministry of Transport stated ahead of the international digital technology forum "Digital Transportation 2025."

According to the agency, a widespread transition to unmanned aircraft requires new advances in navigation, obstacle detection, communications, and cybersecurity, as well as public trust.

"Not in Russia, but in Moscow. Don't confuse the two countries," "It's easier to create a flying car than to repair roads," "Basically, if you put an 'Aerotaxi' sticker on a horse or a donkey, it wouldn't be such a distant prospect," Russians believe the Ministry of Transport's statements.

Meanwhile, NeMoskva regularly publishes news about the real state of affairs in Russian aviation.

We reported yesterday that sanctions have halted legal supplies of components to Boeing and Airbus, forcing airlines to resort to "aircraft cannibalism." Aeroflot will dismantle Volga-Dnepr Airlines' entire fleet of cargo planes for spare parts.

Flight delays due to technical reasons, engine failures, landing gear problems, and other malfunctions have become almost commonplace for Russians.

Just this morning at Irkutsk An Angara Airlines flight was cancelled - due to a technical malfunction, the plane was unable to take off. In the summer, an Angara AN-24 crashed in Amur area — 48 people died. The airline has already lost its aircraft maintenance licenses and may also face the loss of its flight license.