UK start-up Urban-Air Port has announced plans with the Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group to develop 65 electric urban-air ports worldwide to meet the growing demand for autonomous airborne drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger vehicles.

 

In a global exclusive, Urban-Air Port will share new details and never-before-seen images at the inaugural Travel Retail Consumer Forum (20-22 September) taking place at the Hilton London Paddington Hotel.

 

As reported, Harpreet ‘Ricky’ Sandhu, Founder and Executive Chairman at Urban-Air Port Ltd (UAP) will discuss the concept in detail at next week’s TR Consumer Forum, during a special session on Wednesday 22 September entitled ‘Reimagining Travel: Where Hollywood how intercity and even international city hopping will evolve in the future’.

 

Well-known and highly respected travel retail executive Keith Hunter of Hunter Palmer – Global Retail Solutions, will also discuss the implications for retail and the new opportunities afforded to brands and retailers through this sustainable travel concept. Click to register for the forum below.

NOEL PHILIPS MEETS RICKY SANDHU

The recently announced UAP/Hyundai partnership aims to establish a global network of urban-air ports and provide the essential infrastructure to unlock clean urban air mobility worldwide. The partnership forms a key part of Urban-Air Port’s plan to build 200 sites globally in the next five years.

 

Noel Philips – aviation expert, acclaimed travel vlogger and media commentator – Sandhu and Hunter met in London earlier this month to discuss the futuristic and sustainable travel hub. Philips has now shared a film with his millions of followers across his social media networks.

 

 

Due to launch in the coming weeks with the first model to be built in Coventry, UK, the travel concept is aimed at revolutionising the way consumers travel and approach the overall travel experience.

 

The TR Consumer Forum session, which will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 22 September, will also feature an exclusive interview with Sandhu, conducted by the Travel Retail Consumer Forum’s own ‘consumer in residence’, Noel Philips.

 

REAL-TIME CONSUMER FEEDBACK

Philips, who possess a monthly reach on YouTube of more than 16.7 million, will bring up-to-the-minute reaction from his follower base after sharing the above video with his followers.

Sandhu said of the new Hyundai deal: “The sector is soaring and we know that a future with electric flying vehicles and drones in cities is going to be a reality soon.

 

“But it can’t happen if we don’t have the infrastructure on the ground and in the air to make it happen. Urban-Air Port will change the way we travel forever – unlocking clean urban air transport for everyone, improving connectivity in congested cities, cutting pollution and boosting productivity.”

 

Hyundai Motor Group will work with Urban-Air Port to develop 65 sites in key locations across the US, UK, EU and Asia Pacific. The partnership represents a statement of confidence in the ability of the UK-based company to unlock the global market before 2030 and is an integral part of Hyundai Motor Group’s vision to provide smart mobility solutions for the changing world.

 

The Group is developing its own eVTOL vehicle, in tandem with helping create the supporting ecosystem, and plans to enter service in 2028.

 

Urban-Air Port is also in discussions with multiple potential partners and investors, as part of its Series A funding round, closing Q4 this year, to support its rapid commercialisation and global growth.