Melbourne has been chosen as one of three cities to experience Uber Air before anyone else, with the ride-sharing giant announcing that test flights will begin in 2020.
In a statement on Wednesday, Uber announced Melbourne would join Los Angeles and Dallas as trial cities for the aerial service, which aims to "open up urban air mobility and help alleviate transport congestion on the ground".
Commercial operation of the service will begin in 2023.
Uber Air plans to use small and electric aircraft - able to land and take-off vertically - to connect airports and other transport hubs with CBDs, limiting traffic congestion.
The small, electronic aircraft will be able to take off and land vertically. Source: Supplied
The Melbourne government has so far been supportive of the trial.
"We are delighted that Melbourne has been chosen as the first international trial city for Uber Air. Victoria is a dynamic, innovative tech state and an economy leading the Asia Pacific region in transformative technologies,” Victorian Assistant Treasurer Robin Scott said at the Washington Summit where the plans were revealed.
According to Susan Anderson, Regional General Manager for Uber in Australia, New Zealand and North Asia, Australian governments have adopted a "forward-looking approach to ridesharing and future transport technology" - making the ground-breaking trial possible.
"This, coupled with Melbourne’s unique demographic and geospatial factors, and culture of innovation and technology, makes Melbourne the perfect third launch city for Uber Air," she said.
"We will see other Australian cities following soon after.”
Eric Allison, the global head of Uber Elevate, said the journey between Melbourne Airport and the CBD would take about 10 minutes with Uber Air.
"In the coming years, with Uber Air, we want to make it possible for people to push a button and get a flight,” he said.
