Ancona International Airport (AIA) is leading a consortium of local and technical partners that each bring expertise from across the region to develop and implement the vertiport infrastructure. Currently in the design and engineering phase, the project – known as Verticall – aims to complete its prototype by the end of 2025.
The initiative focuses on developing a flexible, modular vertiport system that can be adapted to meet various operational needs and can easily be transported, unlike traditional fixed infrastructures, to meet regional demands, benefiting numerous stakeholders across the region. The plug and play infrastructure will initially be situated at the airport but can be moved to other strategic locations to optimise usage and add value.
AIA is located close to the Marche Region’s Freight Village, which houses one of Amazon Italy’s major logistics centres, and neighbours Ancona Port, one of the main passenger and cargo ports on the Adriatic Sea. Its proximity to these two major cargo hubs provides an ideal location for a flexible vertiport capable of supporting eVTOLs in different locations.
The vertiport will support three primary use cases: remotely operated drones for cargo delivery, especially critical in scenarios like emergency medical transport and offshore activities on the Adriatic coast; electric helicopters designed for passenger transport between major cities and local destinations up to 50km away; and small eVTOL aircraft capable of carrying 5-6 passengers over distances of up to 150km.
“AIA is proud to be at the forefront of UAM in Italy, leading the development of a flexible and future-ready vertiport infrastructure. Our vision is to create a versatile system that not only supports the delivery of essential goods and emergency services but also sets the stage for a more connected and sustainable future in air transport.
“This project highlights Ancona’s strategic importance and our commitment to embracing innovation that will benefit our city, region, and beyond,” said Alex D’Orsogna, CEO of Ancona International Airport.
