Initial feasibility study of multi-rotor eVTOL aircraft for cross-border Urban Air Mobility between Singapore and neighbouring countries

Abstract

As a country surrounded by water and sandwiched between two neighbouring states, Singapore’s geographic location is suitable for cross-water intercity Urban Air Mobility (UAM) transportation study. In this feasibility study, the use of multi-rotor electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) is considered and findings on the cross-border visitor statistics between Singapore-Malaysia and Singapore-Indonesia are shared to reflect the potential demand for cross-border transportation. The points of interest for each of the countries are also identified, and the various existing common modes of transport used for cross-border journeys with their associated fares and duration are presented. To evaluate the feasibility of cross-border UAM from Singapore, an analysis of its journey duration gains and tradeoffs are compared against that of conventional modes of transportation to project an estimated fare for UAM services. The study then concludes with the challenges and limitations to determine if and how UAM would be a feasible option for cross-border transportation into and out of Singapore in the near future.