Malaysia to draft drone industry plan, eyes air taxi services

Low-cost carrier AirAsia is actively pursuing opportunities in drone delivery and air taxis. Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes indicated that the company has already conducted its first drone delivery and aims for commercialization by the end of the year, potentially making it the first in Asia to offer such a service at scale. Fernandes also stated that AirAsia is collaborating with air taxi manufacturers and aims to introduce passenger services within 18 months, utilizing piloted aircraft with four seats.

AirAsia's logistics arm, Teleport, is partnering with Malaysian government agencies, including the civil aviation authority, to explore the feasibility of urban drone delivery through an "Urban Drone Delivery Sandbox." While AirAsia aims for rapid deployment, industry observers note that the timeline for certifying and scaling air taxi services may be ambitious, with early services likely catering to a premium market.