Latest news with #DuncanWalker
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK's first vertiport for electric air taxi industry in Oxfordshire complete
A vertiport testbed for the electric air taxi industry in Oxfordshire has reached operational completion. The vertiport at Bicester Motion, built by Skyports Infrastructure, is one of the UK's first testing grounds and hubs for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flights. Skyports previewed the completed facility at an inaugural event this month, hosting partners of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium. During the event, attendees were given demonstrations of vertiport operations, including passenger processing, vertiport automation systems for aircraft and passengers, Skyports' proprietary Remote Management and Scheduling System, and situational awareness tools, ensuring operational safety and providing a radical rethinking of the passenger journey at vertiports. READ MORE: Objections made against 'inappropriate' plans to build 340 new homes in village The vertiport is a key output of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium, a UKRI Future Flight Challenge project which is demonstrating the feasibility of an AAM ecosystem in the UK. The vertiport will be a 'critical facility' for testing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) ground infrastructure and flight operations, playing a 'significant role' in enabling the next generation of electric, low noise aviation in the UK. The vertiport is designed to develop with evolving eVTOL technologies, providing the UK with a central hub for partners to collaborate on the future of advanced air mobility together. It will serve as a 'key network node and living lab' for the Consortium's wider testing programme and public and stakeholder engagement, including demonstration flights of Vertical Aerospace's VX4 prototype. Duncan Walker, chief executive officer, Skyports, said: 'Completing Bicester adds another vertiport to our rapidly expanding portfolio. We are excited to see commercial AAM operations go live in the near future in the UK.' Michael Cervenka, chief commercial and strategy officer at Vertical Aerospace, said: 'The completion of Skyports' vertiport at Bicester Motion marks an exciting step forward for advanced air mobility in the UK. "Having access to an operationally ready vertiport enables us to validate not just the performance of eVTOL aircraft, but the real-world infrastructure and processes that will support future electric air travel. "Collaboration through the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem is turning ambition into action, and we're proud to be at the forefront of this journey.' READ MORE: Major fashion retailer to open new store at designer outlet James Richmond, Head of Advanced Air Mobility at consortium leader AtkinsRéalis, said: 'The vertiport is already proving its value as a pathfinder project for the UK, setting new precedents and providing infrastructure insights for the industry. "As a living lab and centre of innovation for the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium, we expect it to continue to play a long-term role in validating end-to-end operational concepts and technologies. "The lessons learned here will be critical for streamlining the development of other vertiports in the UK, ultimately scaling Advanced Air Mobility.'
Trade Arabia
19-02-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
LODD, Skyports unveil vertiport concept designs for Abu Dhabi
LODD, an Abu Dhabi-based company specialising in AI-powered drone technology and autonomous aerial logistics, along with Skyports Infrastructure, the leader in vertiport infrastructure for the advanced air mobility industry, have unveiled vertiport designs to be developed across three strategic locations - Al Bateen, Yas Island, and Khalifa Port - in the UAE capital. This project aims to enhance air mobility solutions, integrating them into Abu Dhabi's transportation network to accelerate cargo movement and improve logistical efficiency in the capital. The announcement was made during LODD's participation in the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, held recently in Abu Dhabi. During the event, LODD signed an MoU with Skyports which will connect key sites within the emirate, with potential for connectivity between locations across the UAE. The development of a vertiport network will support the operation of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and autonomous aerial logistics across the emirates, it added. At the event, LODD experts provided insights into the comprehensive efforts behind the vertiport project in Al Bateen, Yas Island, and Khalifa Port. More than 34 stakeholders were involved, and 14 potential sites were assessed, culminating in a detailed feasibility study submitted to the Abu Dhabi government. On the key partnership, CEO Rashid Al Mannai said building of vertiports represents a significant step toward integrating unmanned aerial mobility into Abu Dhabi's public transportation system. The designs are the result of extensive feasibility studies, fruitful collaboration with stakeholders, and a clear vision for scalable air mobility operations, he noted. "Abu Dhabi serves as a global model for air mobility, thanks to its progressive systems. These vertiports will lay the foundation for a future-ready air mobility network, supporting both commercial eVTOL passenger services and autonomous aerial logistics," he stated. Skyports CEO Duncan Walker said the unveiling of these designs and signing of an MOU highlights the progress being made to define and develop Abu Dhabi's AAM infrastructure network.
Gulf Insider
12-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Abu Dhabi Vertiports To Let UAE Flying Taxis Take Off From Yas Island, Al Bateen And Khalifa Port
Abu Dhabi flying taxis will take off and land at vertiports in Yas Island, Al Bateen and Khalifa Port. LODD, an Abu Dhabi based company specialising in AI-powered drone technology and autonomous aerial logistics, and Skyports Infrastructure have unveiled vertiport designs to be developed across three strategic locations. The project aims to enhance air mobility solutions, integrating new infrastructure into Abu Dhabi's transportation network to accelerate cargo and passenger movement and improve logistical efficiency in the UAE capital. The announcement was made during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, held in Abu Dhabi from February 10 to 12. During the event, LODD and Skyports signed an MoU for the development vertiport infrastructure which will connect key sites within Abu Dhabi, with potential for enabling connectivity between other Emirates. The development of a vertiport network will enable the launch and scale up of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) operations and autonomous aerial logistics. Rashid Al Mannai, CEO of LODD, said building vertiports represents a significant step toward integrating uncrewed aerial mobility into Abu Dhabi's public transportation system. He added that the designs are the result of extensive feasibility studies, fruitful collaboration with stakeholders, and a clear vision for scalable air mobility operations. He said: 'Abu Dhabi serves as a global model for air mobility, thanks to its progressive systems. These vertiports will lay the foundation for a future-ready air mobility network, supporting both commercial eVTOL passenger services and autonomous aerial logistics.' Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, said: 'The unveiling of these designs and signing of an MOU highlights the progress being made to define and develop Abu Dhabi's AAM infrastructure network. As our vertiport concept designs show, cargo is just as important to Abu Dhabi's AAM future as passenger operations. 'The development of a comprehensive passenger and cargo network will enable us to bring wide ranging benefits to the Emirate, for both people and businesses.' Both parties' provided insight into airspace evaluation, regulatory analysis, and feasibility studies for three key locations in the Emirate: Al Bateen Yas Island Khalifa Port More than 34 stakeholders were involved, and 14 potential sites were assessed, culminating in a detailed feasibility study submitted to the government. The UAE continues to strengthen its global leadership in adopting cutting-edge technologies and artificial intelligence applications, while launching initiatives to support the development of a knowledge-based and sustainable economy. With the support of companies like LODD and Skyports Infrastructure, the UAE is solidifying its position as an innovation hub for business in the region and beyond.
TAG 91.1
11-02-2025
- Business
- TAG 91.1
Designs unveiled for vertiports at three Abu Dhabi locations
Designs have been unveiled for vertiports to be developed at three strategic locations in Abu Dhabi that include Al Bateen, Yas Island and Khalifa Port. LODD, an Abu Dhabi-based company specialising in AI-powered drone technology, has joined forces with Skyports Infrastructure for the development of a vertiport network to support the operation of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and autonomous aerial logistics. The two companies said that more than 34 stakeholders were involved and 14 potential sites were assessed, culminating in a detailed feasibility study submitted to the Abu Dhabi government. The announcement was made during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, taking place in Abu Dhabi. Rashid Al Mannai, CEO of LODD, emphasised that building vertiports represents a significant step toward integrating uncrewed aerial mobility into Abu Dhabi's public transportation system. He added that the designs are the result of extensive feasibility studies, fruitful collaboration with stakeholders, and a clear vision for scalable air mobility operations. "As our vertiport concept designs show, cargo is just as important to Abu Dhabi's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) future as passenger operations. The development of a comprehensive passenger and cargo network will enable us to bring wide ranging benefits to the Emirate, for both people and businesses," explained Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports.
Dubai Eye
11-02-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Designs unveiled for vertiports at three Abu Dhabi locations
Designs have been unveiled for vertiports to be developed at three strategic locations in Abu Dhabi that include Al Bateen, Yas Island and Khalifa Port. LODD, an Abu Dhabi-based company specialising in AI-powered drone technology, has joined forces with Skyports Infrastructure for the development of a vertiport network to support the operation of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and autonomous aerial logistics. The two companies said that more than 34 stakeholders were involved and 14 potential sites were assessed, culminating in a detailed feasibility study submitted to the Abu Dhabi government. The announcement was made during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, taking place in Abu Dhabi. Rashid Al Mannai, CEO of LODD, emphasised that building vertiports represents a significant step toward integrating uncrewed aerial mobility into Abu Dhabi's public transportation system. He added that the designs are the result of extensive feasibility studies, fruitful collaboration with stakeholders, and a clear vision for scalable air mobility operations. "As our vertiport concept designs show, cargo is just as important to Abu Dhabi's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) future as passenger operations. The development of a comprehensive passenger and cargo network will enable us to bring wide ranging benefits to the Emirate, for both people and businesses," explained Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports.
