Vertiports and multimodal transport

City planners with vision are increasingly placing the vertiport at the centre of their transportation network. Edward Paine looks at the challenges and opportunities afforded by multimodal hubs.

Mobility hubs are transforming the way we think about urban and regional transport. These dynamic spaces integrate various shared transportation modes – from cars, buses and bicycles to trains and aircraft – creating seamless connections that enhance the public realm. As cities and regions transform to accommodate future mobility needs, the advent of vertiports and advanced air mobility (AAM) is an evolving element in the equation. Vertiports and the associated ground-based infrastructure needed for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft represent the potential to introduce air travel into everyday transport hubs.

Integrating vertiports into mobility hubs requires a rethinking of urban design and planning. Unlike traditional airports, vertiports are compact and can be embedded directly within cityscapes or suburban areas, much like helipads today. But to succeed as part of mobility hubs, they must complement other modes of transport while offering a unique value proposition.

Design matters

The design of vertiports will have to address several key factors, including space efficiency. Vertiports should be designed to fit seamlessly into existing urban environments. This might mean rooftop installations on large buildings, repurposed car parking, or integration into existing transit centres. Planners must consider the vertical dimension. A well-designed vertiport will also offer easy access to trains, buses, bicycles and shared mobility services. Clear wayfinding, intuitive layouts and close proximity to other transport options are viewed as important. They also have specific infrastructure requirements. Vertiports will necessitate specialised facilities, including charging stations for aircraft and ground vehicles, maintenance hubs and safety systems. Additionally, noise reduction and airspace management will play a critical role in ensuring compatibility with urban settings. And, as a visible part of the urban landscape, vertiports will also be expected to enhance the aesthetic value of their surroundings. Green roofs, sustainable materials and modern architectural designs can make them landmarks that contribute positively to the local environment.

Supernal – Hyundai Motor Group’s AAM company – has been pioneering the concept of a multimodal hub including eVTOL connectivity. The company has signed a partnership with the City of Miami, Florida, to help city leaders explore whether AAM can enhance existing transit options and determine if new policies are required.

Supernal has also partnered with Urban-Air Port on the Air-One project – Urban-Air Port’s proprietary deployable operations hub for manned and unmanned vehicles. Air-One reported that it is the first functional multimodal infrastructure hub equipped to handle future electric air travel. The 17,000sq ft radial Air-One – which was first unveiled as an exemplar of future multimodal vertiports in Coventry in the UK’s West Midlands in 2022 – was erected in 11 weeks. The facility was divided into zones, including a passenger lounge, café, retail pop-up, cargo logistics hub, electric and hydrogen air vehicle hangar, security screening and command and control centre. The zones are anchored by a 56ft circular final approach and take-off (FATO) platform raised 19ft into the air – using a compact, synchronised link-lift system – to enable future electric air vehicle take-offs and landings.

Speaking at the time, Mike Whitaker, then serving as chief commercial officer, Supernal (Whitaker is now FAA Administrator), said: “The Air-One activation is an important step for the advanced air mobility industry and demonstrates how eVTOLs can easily integrate with existing transportation networks to address local needs. The reality is no single mode of transportation – current or future – can solve cities’ traffic and congestion challenges. Supernal is working with partners like Urban-Air Port to design infrastructure that brings multiple modes of transportation together under one ‘roof’ and enable AAM to reach its full potential.”

Ricky Sandhu, founder and executive chairman, Urban-Air Port, added: “The Coventry demonstration – delivered in partnership with Supernal – showcased the future of how people will travel, seamlessly integrating with other modes of transport to create a greener, more connected future. I am extremely proud to have like-minded industry leaders like Supernal as partners on our journey to building this industry from the ground up – paving the way for us all.”

Accessible to all

The passenger experience at vertiport mobility hubs will help define how quickly the public adopts this new mode of travel. To ensure success, vertiports must offer ease of use, with boarding of an eVTOL aircraft as intuitive as taking a train or bus. Digital ticketing, streamlined security checks and minimal wait times will be crucial. Comfort and convenience will also be key, with amenities such as premium seating options, Wi-Fi and retail outlets elements to consider. Accessibility for all, including those with disabilities, must also be a core consideration.

How vertiports integrate with technology will also enable more seamless integration within mobility hubs. Apps and digital platforms should allow passengers to plan multimodal journeys, book flights and receive real-time updates, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.

The regulatory bodies that will be key to ensuring vertiports can be built are aligned with this viewpoint. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) states in its policy document that “to realise fully the potential of urban air mobility, vertiports need to be easily accessible, with good connecting services to streets, railway stations, buses, etc”.

In the United States, meanwhile, the Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI) is collaborating with local authorities to establish town planning standards that can guide the integration of AAM into urban environments.  

How society will benefit

The inclusion of vertiports and eVTOL aircraft in mobility hubs can bring significant social and environmental advantages, aligning with broader goals of sustainability and accessibility for the widest-possible passenger profile. Fully-electric VTOL aircraft produce zero direct emissions during operation, and as part of a mobility hub can contribute to reducing the overall carbon footprint of urban transport. The argument made by the AAM industry is that by offering an alternative to fossil fuel-powered ground-based transport, eVTOLs can help alleviate traffic congestion, particularly in densely populated areas. In terms of land use optimisation, vertiports also have a clear advantage over traditional airport infrastructure as they require much less space, making them a more efficient use of urban land.

Vertiport network operator UrbanV, established by Aeroporti di Roma, SAVE Group, Aeroporto di Bologna and Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, has a range of AAM projects across Italy and France. Speaking to Vertiports, Martina Melosi, communication and marketing lead at UrbanV, said there were clear benefits for local communities to host an integrated multimodal hub that included an AAM capability: “AAM integration into mobility hubs enhances urban travel, aligns with the ‘15-minute city’ concept and improves urban quality of life,” she said. “Electric eVTOLs significantly reduce emissions, noise pollution and particulate matter, supporting environmental sustainability. Their smaller carbon footprint and reliance on renewable energy offer a clean and efficient urban mobility alternative.”

Not plain sailing

Nonetheless, Melosi highlighted challenges for the sector to reach its goal of fully seamless transport facilities: “Integrating vertiports into mobility hubs holds immense potential to revolutionise urban and regional transportation,” she said. “However, the absence of a regulatory framework for vertiports presents significant technical, operational and societal challenges. Strategic site selection is crucial, favouring locations near existing transport hubs like train stations, bus terminals and airports to enable seamless multimodal connectivity. Simultaneously, internal infrastructure must prioritise multimodal integration. Incorporating vertiports into sustainable urban mobility planning (SUMP) frameworks can enhance sustainable, safe and interconnected urban mobility. Collaboration with local governments to update zoning laws and active community engagement will be
essential to ensure acceptance and successful implementation.”

Melosi added: “Although AAM services are yet to launch, the passenger experience will hinge on anticipating future needs and delivering seamless service. Key elements include reduced travel time through streamlined boarding and disembarking; digitised processes for check-in, ticketing and security; accessibility for passengers with mobility challenges; convenience via integration with multimodal transport options; passenger comfort with modern amenities and facilities; and eco-friendly design using renewable energy and low-emission eVTOLs. Meeting passenger expectations is critical to achieving satisfaction and acceptance of AAM services.”

Vertiport versatility

There is also the potential for social benefits to be had from integrating vertiports within mobility centres. Vertiports can connect underserved areas, providing faster and more convenient transport options for communities currently lacking robust mobility infrastructure. The development and operation of vertiports can create jobs, stimulate local economies and encourage investment in surrounding areas.

Vertiports integrated into mobility hubs can serve a variety of use cases, demonstrating the versatility and utility of AAM. In major cities plagued by gridlock, eVTOL aircraft offer a faster alternative for commuters. Imagine a vertiport located atop a central train station, enabling passengers to transfer directly from an eVTOL flight to a subway or regional train. This set-up could significantly reduce travel times for those living in rural or suburban areas but working in the city centre. For areas lacking robust rail or road infrastructure, vertiports could fill a gap. Small towns and rural regions could connect to larger urban centres via eVTOL flights, fostering economic integration and reducing geographic isolation.

Thinking outside the box

One notable development last year saw Dubai’s largest public parking provider, Parkin Company, partner with Skyports Infrastructure to drive multimodal vertiport hubs. The partnership, announced through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), marked a significant step toward integrating air taxis into Dubai’s transportation ecosystem. With the MoU, Parkin and Skyports vowed to collaborate on the provision of parking facilities at applicable vertiport sites and explore opportunities to develop new eVTOL infrastructure across Parkin’s network to support the expansion of air taxi services. Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports Infrastructure, said: “Access to Parkin’s comprehensive footprint will unlock opportunities to develop our vertiport infrastructure throughout the city, accelerating the adoption of integrated, multimodal transport solutions.”

Separately, in Italy, FS Sistemi Urbani, part of the national railway FS Italiane Group, has plans to develop an AAM hub in the northern city of Varese. The site includes a railway yard and a former warehouse – currently not used – and would provide access to the rail line and other local transport options. Architects Giancarlo Zema Design Group reported: “The VVHUB / Varese Vertiport HUB aims to be the first intelligent, multifunctional infrastructure in Europe, dedicated to the urban air mobility of the future. An organic, environmentally sustainable architecture project that soars upward, almost suspended, within a technological, energy self-sufficient urban park. The roof garden becomes a sophisticated take-off area for electric passenger drones.”

Beyond commercial usage

Vertiports can also serve non-commercial purposes. During emergencies, these mobility hubs could act as hubs for rapid response teams or medical evacuations. Their proximity to other transport options, hospitals or disaster-prone areas, would make them invaluable for crisis management. Additionally, tourism-focused vertiports located near popular destinations could provide quick and scenic access for travellers. For instance, a vertiport at a mobility hub in a coastal city could offer eVTOL flights to nearby islands or natural landmarks, providing unique travel experiences.

Design and planning services firm Arup is helping to shape the future of vertiport hub design. Together with Pickard Chilton Architects, Arup recently designed a vertiport with a mass timber structure atop a parking garage, with a mobility hub at ground level. The Uber Sky Loft skyport was intended to showcase a design concept for Melbourne, Australia – Uber’s first international launch market. The Sky Loft areas include a Skyport Lounge, Uber Greenlight Hub, an operations facility for JUMP bike and scooter sharing, and retail. On-site transit options include Uber ride sharing, JUMP bike and scooter rental, and Uber Air service; additionally, the Sky Loft is located a short walk from other public transit options.

Architect Byron Thurber, who leads the aviation team in the San Francisco area for Arup, told Vertiports that the successful implementation of vertiport-capable multimodal transport hubs may lead to fewer people driving and more people using public transport: “For the relatively small number of passengers who can afford a flight segment, vertiports will enhance convenience for certain types of trips, eg, first-/last-mile connections from higher-throughput modes such as bus and rail, and connections to difficult-to-reach sites such as islands,” Thurber explained. “This could have the secondary effect of encouraging more passengers to use the public transit system rather than private cars. It will be up to vertiport providers and AAM service providers to develop the facilities and operations to create a positive passenger experience.”

While the integration of vertiports into mobility hubs is promising, several challenges must be addressed. Air traffic management, noise regulations and safety standards need to evolve to accommodate eVTOL operations. Educating the public about the benefits and safety of eVTOL aircraft will be critical to overcoming scepticism. With regards to cost and accessibility, to ensure equity, eVTOL services must be priced competitively and made accessible to a broad demographic. And the electrification of AAM will require robust energy grids and renewable energy sources to meet charging demands sustainably.

Looking ahead

Designing vertiports within multimodal hubs requires a balanced approach to optimise space, ensure accessibility, and integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure. Vertiports and AAM have the potential to transform mobility hubs into even more dynamic and inclusive spaces. By integrating these cutting-edge modes of transport, cities can create a future-ready transport ecosystem that is efficient, sustainable, and equitable. The design of vertiports must prioritise intermodal connectivity, passenger experience, and environmental awareness. With careful planning and collaboration across sectors, vertiports can unlock new possibilities for urban and regional mobility, making the dream of seamless, multimodal travel a reality.

Further reading: No man is an island

Integrating AAM in cities is a “complex issue because urban mobility is complex”, according to Hervé Drévillon, project director at Egis, a leading global architecture, consulting, construction engineering and operating firm. Commenting on the intricacies of integrating AAM into busy urban environments, Drévillon concluded that aviation “cannot work on AAM in isolation: understanding urban planning and mobility concepts is essential”. Writing in an online blog, he described concepts such as transit-oriented design, public space management and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) as “integral to the integration solution and implementing a mobility master plan is key to success. It brings a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to mobility, it establishes a common framework across all transport modes, it identifies stakeholders and organises governance”.

Byron Thurber of Arup, the global collective of designers and engineers, says the two main challenges for integrating vertiports into multimodal transport hubs will be “geometry – a landing pad (with safety area) and clear flight paths require substantial ground or rooftop space, plus perpetually-maintained clear airspace – and electric recharging infrastructure and substantial amounts of new electric power from the local utility”. He adds a final consideration: aviation security, which, he said, “may be stricter than other modes, requiring checkpoints and secure zone separations”.