Urban-Air Port (UAP) has today (13 October) revealed details of a collaboration with Munich Airport International (MAI) that will propel the development of ground infrastructure and airport operations to handle electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The tie-up will twin Munich Airport International’s operational prowess with UAP’s innovative ‘Air One’ concept to offer a roadmap for sustainable flights.

UAP took centre stage in a worldwide first at a live, physical event during last month’s inaugural Travel Retail Consumer Forum (20-22 September).

In a global exclusive, UAP delivered its compelling vision for future air mobility through the lens of a new infrastructure ecosystem that serves the embryonic, yet fast-rising, market for unmanned and manned eVTOL aircraft.

Founder and Executive Chairman Ricky Sandhu and Chief Retail Officer Keith Hunter took part in a riveting finale session, ‘Reimagining Travel: where Hollywood Meets Reality’.

‘A FIVE-STAR APPROACH’

UAP is currently deploying its ‘Air One’ programme – a fully operational and integrated airport for drones and eVTOL that connects air mobility with ground transportation in a multi-modal solution.

Coventry, UK has been selected as the first location, with a goal to demonstrate an ultra-compact, rapidly deployable, multi-functional hub for eVTOLs and other services such as charging and re-fuelling, passenger and cargo loading.

In a LinkedIn post, UAP Founder and Executive Chairman Ricky Sandhu said: “I’m delighted to share this partnership with Munich Airport International. A five-star approach is needed to build the infrastructure for this revolutionary industry.”

Dr. Ralf Gaffal, Managing Director, MAI said: “The aviation industry is constantly evolving. While Urban-Air Mobility was a vague vision just a few years ago, this trend is within reach today. We as Munich Airport International see great potential in this new mode of transportation and have developed an advanced air mobility programme to actively shape the future.

“Partnering with Urban-Air Port allows us to join forces in designing, implementing and operating scalable and sustainable Urban-Air ports around the world.”

Besides working together to develop the ‘Air One’ programme, MAI and UAP will collaborate on long-term projects and opportunities, including focusing on emerging markets for the technology.

Sandhu continued: “Urban-Air Port is not only working with the world’s leading developers of eVTOLs, but also developing the full eco-system to enable air mobility to take flight by building strategic partnerships with major mobility and industry partners across the world.

“This collaboration with Munich Airport International [..] allows us to jointly develop our expertise in airport development and operations. Moreover, we can lay the foundations for a globally integrated urban air transport network.

 

“Together, we strive to play a major role in shaping the future of urban air mobility and to equip and adapt the aviation industry to meet the needs of the coming decades.”

Munich Airport International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Munich Airport (MUC) with functions spanning international management, consulting and training.

Passenger traffic at Munich Airport itself has been steadily climbing in recent months, reaching 1.8 million in August versus 570,000 handled in the first quarter of this year.

Demand stayed high after the summer holidays, with the airport welcoming 440,000 travellers in the first week after the period – the highest number since the start of the pandemic.

However, current passenger volumes remain far below pre-pandemic levels, according to MUC.

Passenger numbers are around 40% of 2019 levels as many routes are yet to resume due to continued travel restrictions, particularly to long-haul destinations.

“We are extremely pleased to hear that the current travel ban imposed by the US for those travelling from Germany and many other European countries will be lifted a the start of November,” commented Jost Lammers, CEO of Flughafen München.