Photo: Urban-Air Port
While most electric air taxi developers are nearing the end of the certification process, infrastructure is gradually becoming the main focus in the AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) industry. Vertiports, or dedicated take-off and landing areas for these new aircraft, are slowly showing up all over the world, including Korea.
Urban-Air Port is the name of one of the pioneering AAM companies focusing on infrastructure. It was one of the first to develop a fully operational hub for both autonomous delivery drones and eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing). This concept was introduced back in 2020. Two years later, the UK-based company unveiled the finalized product.
It was called Air-One, and located at Westminster Car Park in Coventry. The futuristic-looking structure, unfolding over 17,000 square feet (1,579 square meters), was a state-of-the-art air mobility hub. Far from a basic spot for take-off and landing, it integrated a dedicated command and control center, cargo logistic hub, passenger lounge, and a hangar for electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft.
The impressive Air-One was only a prototype meant to be displayed and visited for less than a month in the Spring of 2022. However, according to Urban-Air Port, it showed exactly what future vertiports would look like in various locations across Europe, the US, and South Korea.
The British-Korean connection was established when the automotive giant Hyundai invested in the UK-based startup through its urban air mobility division. At the beginning of 2022, this was an industry first: a major eVTOL manufacturer was investing in an AAM infrastructure developer. At the time, the Global Head of Partnerships & Business Development at Supernal (Hyundai Motor Group's air mobility division) became part of Urban-Air Port's board of directors.
Supernal continues to be Urban-Air Port's strategic partner. Still, the British company is extending its connections for a future AAM system in Korea. It recently joined forces with two important players in the industry.
Hanwha Systems is an expert in defense electronics and ICT solutions, currently aiming to become a UAM solutions provider as well. This includes everything from developing aircraft parts and MRO services to air traffic control systems and flight operations.
Korea Airports Corporation is an aviation operator that is also starting to focus on AAM services. Its portfolio includes 14 regional airports with added infrastructure capabilities for electric air mobility.
As leaders in the AAM industry have stated before, the success of this emerging industry depends on teamwork and interconnectivity, which is why partnerships such as this one are so important. Unlike other vertiport experts, Urban-Air Port focuses on versatility. It includes a smart vertiport designed, dubbed "the world's smallest airport," which is both sustainable and off-grid, while the Air-One concept can also be adapted for maritime-based operations.
It was called Air-One, and located at Westminster Car Park in Coventry. The futuristic-looking structure, unfolding over 17,000 square feet (1,579 square meters), was a state-of-the-art air mobility hub. Far from a basic spot for take-off and landing, it integrated a dedicated command and control center, cargo logistic hub, passenger lounge, and a hangar for electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft.
The impressive Air-One was only a prototype meant to be displayed and visited for less than a month in the Spring of 2022. However, according to Urban-Air Port, it showed exactly what future vertiports would look like in various locations across Europe, the US, and South Korea.
The British-Korean connection was established when the automotive giant Hyundai invested in the UK-based startup through its urban air mobility division. At the beginning of 2022, this was an industry first: a major eVTOL manufacturer was investing in an AAM infrastructure developer. At the time, the Global Head of Partnerships & Business Development at Supernal (Hyundai Motor Group's air mobility division) became part of Urban-Air Port's board of directors.
Supernal continues to be Urban-Air Port's strategic partner. Still, the British company is extending its connections for a future AAM system in Korea. It recently joined forces with two important players in the industry.
Hanwha Systems is an expert in defense electronics and ICT solutions, currently aiming to become a UAM solutions provider as well. This includes everything from developing aircraft parts and MRO services to air traffic control systems and flight operations.
Korea Airports Corporation is an aviation operator that is also starting to focus on AAM services. Its portfolio includes 14 regional airports with added infrastructure capabilities for electric air mobility.
As leaders in the AAM industry have stated before, the success of this emerging industry depends on teamwork and interconnectivity, which is why partnerships such as this one are so important. Unlike other vertiport experts, Urban-Air Port focuses on versatility. It includes a smart vertiport designed, dubbed "the world's smallest airport," which is both sustainable and off-grid, while the Air-One concept can also be adapted for maritime-based operations.
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