The programme consists of a feasibility study for the deployment of UAM and a potential proof of concept of commercial operations (CONOPS) of a vertiport at an airport within the Aena flight network.
The pilot programme will progress in two steps. The first two years will focus on a feasibility study of UAM use within the Aena network, identifying potential customers, vertiport locations and commercial routes, infrastructure needs, and possible connections with other modes of transport. The next step will be to evaluate the possibility of conducting flights test on Aena facilities (subject to funding, availability of resources, permits to fly, and so on) in order to proof the concept of operations. Based on this pilot study, the partnership aims to assess the next steps and possible future lines of collaboration in the UAM business in Spain. Future lines of work will be subject to strict assessment of the results of the pilot and the strategic alignment of each of the parties.
Luis Cañon, Aena director of innovation and customer experience, said: “Aena’s innovation and digital transformation is based on using technology to improve current and develop new businesses. We want to be international leaders in the use of digital tools with the objective of optimising the client experience, increasing operational efficiency, being more sustainable and developing new businesses around sustainable mobility. This project is part of the company's global strategy in urban air mobility and the validation of new technologies and processes in Aena's airport network.”
