Pokémon Go Flying Taxi Event: Key Details and Future Trends
The Pokémon Go Flying Taxi event, running through Monday, June 29, introduces the Gen 9 Pokémon Squawkabilly to the game alongside a mid-event Team Rocket takeover. Players can encounter four regional and global color variants of Squawkabilly in the wild and through field research tasks, while the “Flying Taxi: Taken Over” portion, beginning June 25, adds Shadow Reshiram and other Shadow-type Pokémon to the game’s rotation, according to Niantic.
How to Catch Squawkabilly and Its Variants
Squawkabilly debuts as a regionally exclusive Pokémon, mirroring the release strategy used for Flabébé. According to Niantic, players in the Western Hemisphere can encounter the Blue variant, while those in the Eastern Hemisphere will find the Green variant. The White and Yellow variants are available globally.
Field research tasks during the event offer specific encounters:
- Catch 5 Flying-type Pokémon: Yellow Squawkabilly
- Catch 10 Flying-type Pokémon: Blue (Western) or Green (Eastern) Squawkabilly
- Catch 15 Flying-type Pokémon: White Squawkabilly
What to Expect from Flying Taxi: Taken Over
The Team Rocket invasion begins Thursday, June 25, at 10 a.m. local time and concludes alongside the main event on June 29 at 8 p.m. local time. During this window, Team Rocket balloons and PokéStop invasions will appear with increased frequency.
A primary draw for this takeover is the chance to battle Giovanni for a Shadow Reshiram. Players must secure a Super Rocket Radar to initiate the encounter. These are available through the “Go Pass: Flying Taxi” at Rank 30 on the free track, or at Rank 1 and 30 for those who purchase the Deluxe Track for £4.99/$4.99. All rewards must be claimed by Wednesday, July 1, at 7:59 p.m. local time.
Expanded Shadow Pokémon Roster
The takeover introduces several new Shadow Pokémon to the rotation. Per official game data, the following lines are now available in their Shadow forms:
- Seel and Dewgong
- Hoothoot and Noctowl
- Noibat and Noivern
- Reshiram
- Rookidee, Corvisquire, and Corviknight
Future Trends in Pokémon Go Event Design
The “Flying Taxi” event signals a shift toward shorter, high-intensity events paired with paid “Pass” systems. By gating high-value rewards like the Super Rocket Radar behind a mix of free and premium progression tracks, Niantic is standardizing a model that encourages daily engagement.
Compared to earlier, simpler collection challenges, the current structure relies on “Major Milestones.” This suggests a long-term trend of integrating seasonal passes into individual event weeks, rather than limiting them to full-season cycles. Players should anticipate more recurring “Taken Over” events as the game continues to emphasize Shadow Raids as a primary method for acquiring meta-relevant attackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund for the Go Pass: Flying Taxi?
No, the purchase is non-refundable and cannot be made using PokéCoins, according to the official event terms.
Where can I find the White Squawkabilly?
The White variant of Squawkabilly is available worldwide, unlike the Blue and Green variants which are restricted to the Western and Eastern Hemispheres, respectively.
When does the Team Rocket event end?
The Flying Taxi: Taken Over event ends on Monday, June 29, at 8 p.m. local time.
Are you hunting for a specific Squawkabilly color variant? Share your progress in the comments below or join our community newsletter for the latest event updates and raid guides.
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