Volocopter plans to launch air taxi services in Singapore in the next three years.

The company will work closely with the Economic Development Board of Singapore (EDB) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to meet that goal, making Singapore a leader in Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in Asia, according to a news release.

Volocopter has worked closely with Singapore over the last two years, completing a “historic air taxi demonstration flight” in Marina Bay in October 2019. Before officially launching air taxi services, the company will need the necessary regulatory approvals from CAAS and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, which will require comprehensive tests, flight trials, evaluations and certification.

“Singapore is renowned for its leading role in adapting and living new technologies. Our successful cooperation with EDB, MOT and CAAS on our previous flight has shown that there is no better place in Asia to launch our electric air taxi services than in Singapore,” Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter said, according to the release. “The city’s research institutes conducting R&D play an integral part in this. Topics like route validation for autonomous operations, material science, and research regarding battery technology are very important for our long-term business success.”

The first route is expected to carry tourists over the southern waters. Cross-border flights may become follow-on connections, enhancing connectivity and improving the travel experience to economic centers.

“Urban Air Mobility is an emerging area within the broader mobility sector, which we have identified as a growth industry for Singapore,” EDB Executive Vice President Tan Kong Hwee said, according to the release. “Singapore is an important regional testbed for autonomous cars, electric vehicles, and Urban Air Mobility, including the successful test flight by Volocopter in 2019. We are glad that Volocopter has chosen Singapore to anchor its commercial and R&D activities. This will help build new capabilities for our mobility ecosystem and create many exciting opportunities for Singapore.”