Kiwi.com invests in Zuri — a futuristic, autonomous aircraft

Four-passenger plane capable of vertical take-off and landing, Zuri, represents another step to becoming the Virtual Global Supercarrier

Kiwi.com has decided to invest in the development of a futuristic autopilot-controlled, vertical take-off and landing aircraft by Zuri. This represents yet another step in the travel revolution.

The unique project of Czech start-up Zuri, founded by entrepreneur Michal Illich, combines the advantages of helicopters and planes. With electrically driven rotors that allow vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), it could make futuristic civilian transport a reality.

What’s more, the Zuri aircraft is to be controlled by autopilot. Eventually, it will not require human control.

The pioneering work of Zuri could be vital for the next phase of seamless transport. Combined with our Virtual Interlining technology and multi-modal approach, Zuri’s futuristic aircraft could represent another step for us to become the Virtual Global Supercarrier. Virtual Interlining allows our customers to travel on carriers that do not usually cooperate with each other.

The investment will help Zuri in the next developmental phase of producing a functional prototype. The aircraft will be able to seat four passengers and, in the future, could cover a total distance of up to 700 km in less than three hours.

“The Zuri project represents a direction that I see as key in the future of transport and our investment is proof of that. This segment is practically non-existent, although it is one of the critical elements in the first and last mile of transport,” said Kiwi.com’s CEO and Co-Founder Oliver Dlouhý.

“Intertwined with the global transportation network, it will bring completely new options for traveling by adding thousands of smaller cities into the airports’ catchment areas by extending these by the radius of up to 700 kilometers.”

Kiwi.com to be among the first to offer futuristic service

Last year, Zuri received an initial investment from Pale Fire Capital to help develop the project. Kiwi.com’s financial support will push the project even further.

“Thanks to this investment we will be able to continue building up the team, as well as the development of a large prototype of this unique aircraft,” Zuri’s CEO and founder Michal Illich said.

“Kiwi.com has intimate knowledge of the future of travel demand and thanks to its popularity it will also be able to bring new solutions to the market of on-demand transportation, including mid-range VTOL flights.”

Dlouhý added: “The vision of Zuri is very close to our own and we are excited we can play a part in its development. We also believe that Kiwi.com will be among the first to offer this type of service within the global scope of our network.”