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Ukraine to launch air taxis

Kiev, June 01, 2011
 

Ukraine would soon launch small three-seater aircraft as taxis to ferry people from city to city, the Ukrinform news agency reported.

Odesviaremservice - the state-owned aircraft repair company - has developed an improved model of the Dolphin aircraft to be used as air taxis. Dolphin is a low-flying plane that can accommodate three passengers and one crew member.

The air taxi would offer "irregular" flight services depending on the availability of passengers, officials said.

Flights will be available only between big cities for the time being, because air strips in small towns lack standard runways, company engineers said.

The aircraft can fly 1,350 km without refueling. Powered by diesel, the plane has a fuel consumption of 16 litres per 100 km, at a cost of some $20.

Officials said fare for the air taxi would be slightly higher than that of regular flights. The new service would help businessmen and politicians.

The plane's designers said the new aircraft was absolutely safe. In case of any emergency, all on board would be brought safely to the ground by a "unique" parachute.   

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