USA. Avports today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jaunt Air Mobility to join the latter’s Access Skyways infrastructure alliance. The alliance supports the integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft with airports and the aviation ecosystem.
Avports is a market leader in the US in the provision of third-party airport operation and management services for small and medium-sized airport owners, currently working with ten airports.
The new partnership builds on Avports’ continuing efforts to protect the environment by transitioning to a carbon-neutral operating environment and introducing eVTOL aircraft as a new form of commuting.
A statement said that Avports and Jaunt are supporting local governments and airport authorities to reduce urban congestion, improve economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Jaunt Chief Commercial Officer Simon Briceno said: “Access Skyways is an agreement with organisations with distinct areas of expertise in the planning, design, development, and integration of eVTOL aircraft into the existing global transportation system.
“As an OEM, we will be working with operators around the globe. We are pleased to partner with Avports as their expertise provides critical elements to making this service a reality.”
Airports require the extensive use of vehicles and machinery for day-to-day aviation operations and primarily use fossil fuel-based fleets. Through the new alliance, Avports and Jaunt said they will now provide a convenient way for airport owners, authorities and stakeholders to efficiently decrease the complexity of implementing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) into their airports.
Avports CEO Jorge Roberts said: “Climate change is an all-important industry challenge. With 95 years of airport management experience, Avports is positioned to be part of the solution. The future of air travel has to be environmentally-friendly and sustainable.
“By collaborating with Jaunt Air Mobility and the Access Skyways alliance to provide zero-emission vehicle solutions, we act on our community leadership values and ESG [environmental, social, and governance] principles. We are dedicated to working towards carbon-free travel on behalf of our customers and the communities we serve.”
Jaunt designs and manufactures eVTOL aircraft based on slowed rotor technology. Its Jaunt Journey air taxi is the world’s first aircraft combining helicopter and fixed-wing flight capabilities, highlighting low noise, comfort, safety and operational efficiencies. The aircraft has a range of 80-100 miles, carrying a pilot and four passengers.
Avports’ client airports currently include Albany International, New York Stewart International, Republic and Westchester County in New York; Teterboro in New Jersey; Tweed New Haven in Connecticut; Gary Chicago International in Indiana; Moffett Federal Airfield in California; and Detroit Metro Airport North Terminal in Michigan.
The company is also an operations and management advisor in the development of Airglades Airport in Florida.
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report is set to launch a newsletter dedicated to urban air mobility, one of the most exciting and high-potential elements of the modern global aviation sector. You can read about our move into the subject in this story here.
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