The state’s first air taxi demonstrations have begun at Salt Lake City International Airport just weeks after 47G | Utah Aerospace & Defense (47G) signed an historic agreement with BETA Technologies
Supported by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), the agreement creates a game-changing opportunity to bring the company’s aircraft and charging stations to Utah, its team said.
BETA Technologies conducted demonstration flights at six airports across the state over several days, giving Utahns an up-close view of its ALIA aircraft. The series of events signal a major step forward in the evolution of transportation, reinforcing the state’s role as a leader in advanced air mobility (AAM). ALIA will fly several routes across the state to showcase the many ways air transport can transform mobility – by reducing commute times, connecting rural and urban communities, expanding job access, providing critical medical services and improving air quality through clean energy solutions.
“Utah has demonstrated forward-thinking leadership and a strong commitment to investing in advanced air mobility,” said Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of BETA Technologies. “Utah is way ahead of the game making the right investments early and providing the necessary support to stand up an air mobility ecosystem that can drive real impact. These flights will demonstrate the benefits of this low-cost, quiet and safe mode of transport for the state of Utah and beyond.”
BETA has redefined air travel with ALIA’s ability to transport up to five passengers or 1,250lb of cargo. In addition, the company’s Charge Cubes utilise the industry standard accepted by most air taxi manufacturers around the world. They can also be used to charge ground vehicles.
The agreement between BETA and its Utah-based partners will help establish a statewide electric charging network for both aircraft and ground vehicles, create pilot training programs and develop a model to forecast flight operations. It also encourages flight demonstrations that help educate and engage the public on this new form of transportation.
Last year, state and business leaders launched the Air Logistics Transportation Alliance (Project Alta), a collaborative partnership with a mission to establish an AAM system for Utah. Project Alta contemplates four main phases of AAM integration by the 2034 Winter Olympic Games that includes expanding existing drone package delivery, instituting reliable cargo transport and moving people.
“By integrating cutting-edge electric aircraft into our mobility ecosystem, we are ensuring the highest standards of safety, advancing medical response capabilities and driving technological innovation that will create lasting benefits for communities across the state,” said Chris Metts, 47G Project Alta executive director. “Utah is attracting investment, accelerating the development of critical infrastructure and enabling the deployment of aircraft that make our transportation system safe and truly multimodal.”
An Alia aircraft over the Green Mountains
