SK Telecom, a major telecommunications company in South Korea, has announced plans to launch a flying taxi service in 2025, which it expects to generate considerable revenue. The company has partnered with U.S. firm Joby Aviation to develop air taxis specifically for the South Korean market.

SK Telecom, a major telecommunications company based in South Korea, has announced plans to introduce a flying taxi service by 2025, according to a senior executive who spoke with CNBC. The company believes the new service will generate substantial revenue in the future.

In 2022, SK Telecom and Joby Aviation, a U.S. company that produces electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles, announced a partnership to create air taxis for the South Korean market. Air taxis are viewed by proponents as a solution to transportation issues in crowded urban areas as they can bypass traffic and transport passengers through the air.

The South Korean government is aiming to introduce air taxis as a commercial service by 2025, and SK Telecom and Joby Aviation are among the companies seeking to capitalize on this initiative.

According to Ha Min-yong, chief development officer of SK Telecom, the company plans to launch its air taxi service for commercial use in the middle of 2025, subject to meeting safety and security standards, and will later expand into logistics, tourism, and medical-related services.

The government is expected to grant permission for expansion if the service quality is satisfactory to the public. This announcement was made at the Mobile World Congress event held in Barcelona, Spain.