Flying Taxi Hubs Head To Over 65 Cities As Aircraft For Masses Takes Wing

Urban-Air Port (UAP), an up-and-coming UK startup, has recently secured investment from Supernal (part of the Hyundai group) to fund 200 vertiport hubs in 65 cities over the next five years.

Last year, Interesting Engineering reported that UAP teamed up with Hyundai to develop the world’s first fully operational urban airport for flying taxis in a bid to improve the industry’s infrastructure. Called the Air-One, the site in Coventry City Centre will open its doors in April to the public.

The latest injection of funds helps UAP inch closer to building similar infrastructure needed to promote “mass adoption of eVTOL aircraft” across the globe. 

“The demonstration will show how AAM can help unlock the potential of sustainable mobility and how the industry will work to help reduce congestion, cut air pollution, and decarbonize transport,” the company said of its lofty goals.

The Sunday Times’ Driving reported that several of the 65 future bases are planned for London, Los Angeles, and other major metropolitan areas across the UK, US, Europe, and Asia.

Market research firm Frost and Sullivan predicts that by the year 2040, there will be over 430,000 eVTOL aircraft in the skies—backing up the need for essential infrastructure all over the globe.

“Cars need roads. Trains need rails. Planes need airports. eVTOLs need Urban-Air Ports,” said UAP’s founder, Ricky Sandhu. 

“With Supernal’s investment and expertise and connection to Hyundai Motor Group we can supercharge the rollout of sustainable, intermodal and scalable ground infrastructure that will unleash the future of advanced air mobility globally,” he added.

[via Interesting Engineering and Driving, cover image via Urban-Air Port]