Texas Tapped for Federal Air Taxi Pilot Program

New initiative aims to connect major cities via electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation have selected Texas to participate in a pilot program for advanced air mobility, including air taxi services connecting major cities like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, with plans to eventually extend to Houston. The program will test the safety, infrastructure, and airspace integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Why it matters

This initiative represents a significant step forward in the development of urban air mobility technology, which proponents say could revolutionize regional transportation. Texas has positioned itself as a testing ground for advanced aviation, and the air taxi pilot program builds on previous efforts to explore autonomous air taxi services in cities like Houston.

The details

Under the new Advanced Air Mobility Initiative, the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will work with federal regulators and private aviation companies to test air taxi operations connecting major cities across the state. The program will cover a range of use cases, including urban air taxi services, regional passenger transportation, cargo and logistics networks, emergency medical response, autonomous flight technologies, and offshore/energy-sector transportation.

  • The FAA and DOT announced the Texas air taxi pilot program on March 10, 2026.
  • Federal officials say Americans could begin seeing the first operations from the pilot program as early as summer 2026.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

The federal executive department responsible for policies and programs related to transportation.

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

The state agency responsible for maintaining and improving Texas's transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and aviation.

Wisk Aero

A Boeing subsidiary that has previously explored launching autonomous air taxi services in Houston as part of broader efforts to develop urban air mobility networks.

Sean P. Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary who announced the air taxi pilot program.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Thanks to President Trump, the future of aviation is here—and it's going to dramatically improve how people and products move. Working together, we will ensure America leads the way in safely leveraging next-gen aircraft to radically redefine personal travel, regional transportation, cargo logistics, emergency medicine, and so much more.”

— Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary (chron.com)

“These partnerships will help us better understand how to safely and efficiently integrate these aircraft into the National Airspace System. The program will provide valuable operational experience that will inform the standards needed to enable safe Advanced Air Mobility operations.”

— Chris Rocheleau, FAA Deputy Administrator (chron.com)

What’s next

The FAA and DOT say the pilot program is designed to test safety, infrastructure, and airspace integration before any widespread rollout of air taxi services in Texas. The first operations could begin as early as summer 2026.

The takeaway

The selection of Texas for this advanced air mobility pilot program positions the state as a leader in the development of innovative transportation technologies, building on its existing reputation as a hub for aerospace and aviation innovation. If successful, the air taxi network could transform regional travel in Texas, offering a new alternative to traditional modes of transportation.