
Travelling into central London after a long transatlantic flight could soon take less than ten minutes thanks to a new partnership between Virgin Atlantic and electric air taxi firm Joby.
Announced at the Farnborough Air Show, the agreement will allow airline customers to book a flight on Joby's electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft (eVTOL) directly through the Virgin Atlantic app or website.
The service aims to slash travel time from London Heathrow Airport to central London down to just 8 minutes - a journey that usually takes over an hour by car.
Despite the high-tech appeal, the service is being pitched as surprisingly affordable. Bonny Simi, Joby's president of operations, revealed that a seat on the aircraft would be "very equivalent" to current premium road transport, estimating the Heathrow to central London trip at between £100 and £120.
This puts it directly in line with traditional transport options, where an Uber Black costs around £100 and a standard London Black Cab can run up to £120 for the same distance.
The technology is also set to expand beyond the capital to Virgin's regional hub at Manchester Airport, with early planned routes including a 15-minute hop to Leeds.
Operating similarly to helicopters but producing significantly less noise, the six-propeller aircraft can fly routes up to 100 miles without disrupting city residents below.
Highlighting the benefits of the technology, Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster stated: "Together, we'll create more seamless journeys for our customers, making it easier than ever to travel between towns, cities, and our airports."
The UK's Civil Aviation Authority is currently aiming to have passenger-carrying eVTOLs commercially certified by the end of 2028.

Council officers described the proposed rise in a report as "reasonable", explaining it reflects the growing financial pressures and rising costs faced by drivers since fares were adjusted in Oct 2022.

Working alongside Kirklees Council Taxi Licensing near New College, police launched the proactive clampdown to target illegal driving and ensure vehicles on the road were complying with regulations.

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The sweep, which ran from 4pm on July 18 to 2am the following morning, focused on ensuring passenger vehicles were safe, roadworthy, and operating legally. 

On Tuesday, 14 July, traffic officers set up on Avenue Road, Nuneaton, alongside council colleagues to target defective taxis and general traffic offences — with encouraging results.

Adrian Erive Santos, 45, from Ramsey, appeared at Douglas Courthouse on Tuesday morning, 21 July, following allegations stemming from an incident on June 27.

Officers investigating the assault of a taxi driver outside Farnham railway station in May have released this image in connection with the offence.

Independent Cllr Osman Khalil brought the concerns of the area's more than 1,000 drivers to the council, stating the office is open for just three hours on Wednesdays and Fridays.

A 37-year-old Bradford private hire driver, Mohammed Mohammed, has had his licence revoked following allegations that he assaulted a passenger during a dispute over a late pick-up.

An Uber driver was targeted while carrying a passenger near Sheffield Coach Station after three young male cyclists threw a bag of flour into his vehicle.

Mohammed Rafiq, from Bradford, was stripped of his licence by council officers who ruled he was no longer a "fit and proper person" to operate a PHV.

Cllr Shabir said: "Last month a taxi driver approached me about a hearing he had with North Yorkshire Council licensing committee on Saturday 20th June. He informed me on Friday 19th June!

Barry Murphy, who has worked in the local trade for 24 years, is calling for an immediate freeze on new Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) applications until an independent review evaluates the island's licensing system.

Thames Valley Police is now appealing for witnesses to the broad-daylight incident, which occurred around 12.35pm on Friday, July 3, on one of Oxford's busiest roads.

A local cabbie raised the alarm, highlighting a vehicle serving Westfield Special School. The whistleblower claimed the vehicle was unlicensed as a taxi, uninsured, and had failed its MoT.

Scott Troy, 43, was arrested at his home and accused of being a getaway driver following a violent attack on shopkeeper Mohammed Arif in Pollok on August 13, 2023.

Peter Garland was a passenger in the vehicle when he pulled out the weapon, held it to the driver's neck, made violent threats, and chased the victim before robbing him of his mobile phone.

Wolverhampton officials were brought in because a high volume of private hire vehicles operating in Warrington are licensed by city of Wolverhampton Council.

Meeting on 20 July, the General Licensing Committee will consider sweeping amendments designed to tighten the criteria for who is deemed a “fit and proper person” to drive a cab.

A Manchester entrepreneur is aiming to reshape the city's private hire industry after announcing a new driver-first business model designed to help local drivers keep more of what they earn.
