Florida to Test Electric Air Taxis by Late 2026

Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, announced that electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will begin testing across the state's aerospace region by the end of 2026. Speaking at the SunTrax testing grounds in Auburndale, DeSantis detailed plans to introduce these air taxis in Central Florida to alleviate traffic congestion, specifically along the I-4 corridor, and to improve emergency response times in cities like Tampa and Orlando.

To support the rollout, the Florida Department of Transportation is developing an infrastructure network of airports stretching from Daytona Beach through Orlando to Sarasota. The department will establish a project headquarters in Polk County to oversee test flights and infrastructure development. The initiative includes the launch of SunTrax Air, the first aerial test track in the United States, which features two new vertiports for vertical takeoff and landing.

Beyond aerial mobility, the SunTrax facility serves as a controlled environment for autonomous vehicle testing for companies including Tesla, Waymo, and BEEP. The state is currently working through the Federal Aviation Administration certification process for both vehicle types and pilot certifications. To ensure a qualified workforce, the state has partnered with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Polk State College to train future pilots, air traffic controllers, and maintenance workers.