Aviation industry leaders in Europe are starting to establish the necessary infrastructure, technology and regulations needed for eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicles.
Italy to develop air taxi services
A collaboration between ITA Airways, Airbus, UrbanV, and Enel aims to lay the foundation for an advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem in Italy.
This collaboration will use the expertise of the airline, the eVTOL manufacturer, the vertiport network operator and the energy provider, to manage the introduction of its air taxi services.
This will encompass standardising charging infrastructure and routes.
“We know that a successful AAM business will require much more than just developing the vehicle. It is essential to co-create the conditions for that vehicle to be operated and supported,” said Balkiz Sarihan, Head of Urban Air Mobility at Airbus. “We are thrilled by this opportunity to work on the development of such an ecosystem in Italy.”
The UK plans vertiports
Across the English Channel, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has begun evaluating vertiport (vertical airport) design proposals.
The plan for vertiport construction across the country is to utilise the UK’s already established airports and to adapt the existing infrastructure in the initial phases.
“By leveraging existing regulation, we’re enabling the future operators and aerodromes to develop their understanding and operational expertise, at the same time as growing our collective knowledge of technology and operational scenarios to support this infrastructure,” said Sophie-Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Safety and Innovation at the CAA.
