Trials of an unmanned air taxi have started in the Samara region, capable of reducing the journey between Samara and Tolyatti from two hours to twenty minutes. This was announced by the governor of the region, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, at the "Made in Russia" forum.
We are currently experimenting with air taxis in test mode. I myself have flown – so far at the training ground, not over the river. Now it takes one and a half to two hours to get from the center of Samara to the center of Tolyatti, but with an air taxi it will take 20 minutes. And it will be 20 minutes over the beautiful Samarskaya Luka National Park
According to the head of the region, the cost of one such air taxi is estimated at approximately 50 million rubles. However, the effect of its implementation will be "colossal": the air taxi is capable of changing the region's economy, uniting Samara, Tolyatti, and Syzran into a single transport and economic system, and simplifying business and tourist trips.
The project is designed for 5–10 years. If the tests are successful and provided there is a "clear sky," that is, authorized flights, air taxis will be able to operate regular flights between the region's largest cities. The idea is that this will be a step towards creating a new model of urban mobility – fast, environmentally friendly, and autonomous.
The trials are taking place in parallel with another experiment – unmanned cargo delivery. Since 2025, test flights of drones have been conducted in the Samara region in the field of trade. It is planned to carry out more than 24 thousand flights per year. Although the cost of such deliveries is currently 15% higher than courier delivery, the authorities expect that it will decrease as volumes grow, and some couriers will be able to move to the real sector of the economy.