2034 Winter Olympics: Utah to Launch Air Taxis for Fast Travel

Imagine skipping the rush-hour traffic on I-15 by soaring above it — this vision could soon become a reality for Utah residents.

On Tuesday, a groundbreaking partnership was established between BETA Technologies, a leader in electric aircraft manufacturing, and 47G | Utah Aerospace & Defense to bring air taxi technology to the state. The agreement aims to introduce electric aircraft and charging infrastructure that will reshape how people and goods move across Utah.

The electric air taxis are designed to carry up to five passengers or 1,250 pounds of cargo. These planes, which are capable of reaching speeds of up to 155 miles per hour, can travel over 350 miles on a single charge and recharge in under an hour. According to BETA Technologies, the air taxis are expected to transform the state’s transportation landscape.

“We’re bringing planes into the skies soon to fly specific routes here in Utah,” said Kyle Clark, CEO of BETA Technologies. “Charging stations will be set up at airports later this year or early next year.”

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This initiative has garnered support from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. The ultimate goal is for the air taxis to be operating statewide by the time the 2034 Winter Olympics arrive.

In the short term, the plan is to move cargo starting in early 2026, with passenger flights following in the coming years. The air taxis will initially focus on medical logistics and cargo before expanding to passenger services. By the end of the decade, both cargo and passenger flights will operate via conventional and vertical takeoff and landing methods.

Governor Spencer Cox expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the long-term benefits for both Utah residents and visitors. “Utah is positioned at the forefront of aviation innovations that will significantly shape our economic future,” he said. “We’re not just keeping up with the future of transportation – we’re leading it.”

In addition to the air taxis, the partnership will invest in Utah’s electric vehicle infrastructure, including the installation of charging stations that will support both electric aircraft and ground-based vehicles. The governor has allocated $2 million in his 2026 fiscal year budget to enhance the charging network for these vehicles.

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UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras emphasized the importance of finding new solutions to meet the transportation needs of Utah’s growing population. “As we face increased demands on our ground transportation system, advanced air mobility offers innovative ways to address those needs,” he said.

The air taxi project is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to the region, including the creation of 11,000 full-time jobs and an estimated $1.8 billion in tax revenues by 2045, well after the Olympics have concluded.

Initially, the electric aircraft will be piloted, but Clark anticipates that eventually, they will operate autonomously. He credited Utah for taking a bold leadership role in shaping the future of air mobility. “Utah has set the stage for companies like ours to innovate and lead in the advanced air mobility space,” he said.

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