“World first” air mobility as a service trial in Coventry

UK start-up Urban-Air Port is showcasing the future potential of air taxis and autonomous delivery drones in a month-long trial at a specially constructed hub in Coventry. The ground infrastructure developer is working in partnership with Supernal, the company which has evolved from Hyundai Motor Group’s urban air mobility division. Hyundai is developing a family of electric air vehicles and convening public and private stakeholders in a bid to gain a share of the emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) industry, with plans to launch its first commercial flight in 2028.

The company says it is working to integrate AAM into existing transit networks and to shape a seamless intermodal passenger experience. The vision is for passengers to use a single app – like current rideshare platforms – to plan their journey, which could include taking a car or rail from home to an AAM “vertiport,” an electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicle – such as an air taxi across town, and an e-scooter for the last mile.

Coventry trial

Urban-Air Port says the aim of the Coventry test site is to demonstrate how advanced air mobility can cut congestion and air pollution and support a zero-carbon future, integrated with electric vehicles for sustainable public transport.

The hub, dubbed Air-One, is designed to provide a blueprint for more than 200 vertiports planned worldwide by Urban-Air Port over the next five years, demonstrate how purpose-built ground infrastructure can unleash the potential of AAM to decarbonise transport and cut air pollution and congestion, whilst providing seamless passenger journeys and deliveries.

Ricky Sandhu, founder and executive chairman of Urban-Air Port stated: “The opening of Air-One is a momentous moment – the starting gun for a new age of transport, an age of zero-emission, congestion-free travel between and within cities that will make people healthier, happier and more connected than ever before.

“From design, through to fabrication and now into operation, Urban-Air Port has delivered Air-One in just 15 months, setting the standard for deployment globally and opening up a world of possibilities for rapid response air mobility. Air-One is just the first model in our infrastructure fleet and our order-book is not only open but already growing. The interest is turning into recognition of the need for our technology and into demand.”

Air-One is located at Westminster Car Park, in the centre of Coventry (CV1 3fZ). Members of the public interesting in attending can sign up for tickets at www.urbanairport.com/aironeevent