Photo: Volatus Infrastructure
The much-talked-about AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) isn't just about new generations of zero-emission aircraft but also a fresh perspective on the related infrastructure. The upcoming Greenport International Airport (GIA) was already designed to break the norm with sustainable and digitalized features. Now, it's also getting a vertiport for electric air taxi operations.
Central Texas Airport Holdings is building both an innovative airport and a groundbreaking technology hub. GIA and the Greenport International Airport and Technology Center will be located 17 miles (27 km) from Central Austin, covering more than 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares).
GIA was announced as the world's first green airport to be privately owned and operated. The main innovation is that it's supposed to be fully sustainable, with 100% off-grid operations. It will also integrate advanced cybersecurity systems and self-contained communications.
Specifically designed for larger business jets, this futuristic airport will boast a 10,000-foot (3,048 meters) runway and a spacious hangar unfolding over 2.9 million square feet (270 square meters). Plus, it will integrate a US Customs Port of Entry/Exit, meant to make the Austin region more accessible globally.
In addition to all of this, GIA will incorporate a vertiport specifically developed for electric air taxi operations. The vertiport is designed by Volatus Infrastructure and includes a landing pad, a modular terminal building, and one charging station.
The Greenport vertiport is the result of a recent collaboration between Volatus and the Greenport Technology Center. They plan to move fast, breaking ground until the end of this year. If things go according to plan, they should be able to inaugurate the facility at the beginning of next year, making it one of the first fully operational, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)-compliant vertiports in the US.
Earlier this year, Volatus signed a similar deal with the Bellefonte Airport in Pennsylvania. That one will also start with a single landing pad and charging station but gradually expand until reaching eight landing pads, each with a dedicated charging station.
According to Volatus, its innovative vertiport structure takes only four weeks to build from scratch. The charging station has the added benefit of being vehicle-agnostic, which means that eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing) from various manufacturers can operate at these future vertiports. These fast chargers will even include solar options.
This infrastructure startup that was founded just two years ago stands out among other industry players due to its unique app and maintenance programs. The free-of-charge app allows operators to check landing availability and charging information and schedule maintenance. The maintenance program includes the required staff, tools, and training.
In the near future, more airports in the US are likely to follow the example of Bellefonte Airport and GIA and start adding eVTOL hubs.
GIA was announced as the world's first green airport to be privately owned and operated. The main innovation is that it's supposed to be fully sustainable, with 100% off-grid operations. It will also integrate advanced cybersecurity systems and self-contained communications.
Specifically designed for larger business jets, this futuristic airport will boast a 10,000-foot (3,048 meters) runway and a spacious hangar unfolding over 2.9 million square feet (270 square meters). Plus, it will integrate a US Customs Port of Entry/Exit, meant to make the Austin region more accessible globally.
In addition to all of this, GIA will incorporate a vertiport specifically developed for electric air taxi operations. The vertiport is designed by Volatus Infrastructure and includes a landing pad, a modular terminal building, and one charging station.
The Greenport vertiport is the result of a recent collaboration between Volatus and the Greenport Technology Center. They plan to move fast, breaking ground until the end of this year. If things go according to plan, they should be able to inaugurate the facility at the beginning of next year, making it one of the first fully operational, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)-compliant vertiports in the US.
Earlier this year, Volatus signed a similar deal with the Bellefonte Airport in Pennsylvania. That one will also start with a single landing pad and charging station but gradually expand until reaching eight landing pads, each with a dedicated charging station.
According to Volatus, its innovative vertiport structure takes only four weeks to build from scratch. The charging station has the added benefit of being vehicle-agnostic, which means that eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing) from various manufacturers can operate at these future vertiports. These fast chargers will even include solar options.
This infrastructure startup that was founded just two years ago stands out among other industry players due to its unique app and maintenance programs. The free-of-charge app allows operators to check landing availability and charging information and schedule maintenance. The maintenance program includes the required staff, tools, and training.
In the near future, more airports in the US are likely to follow the example of Bellefonte Airport and GIA and start adding eVTOL hubs.
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