UK. Leeds Bradford Airport and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft infrastructure pioneer Urban-Air Port (UAP) have joined forces to collaborate on developing a new unmanned and manned aerial vehicle hub.
UK start-up UAP will be working with the airport to develop what the partners describe as an off-grid, hydrogen-powered infrastructure hub on the airport’s grounds.
The main role of the site at Leeds Bradford will be to provide a space for the command, charging and loading of logistics drones. It will provide safe and secure infrastructure to support drone delivery services in the Leeds City region “in the near future”.
Within the scope of the agreement between the two parties, there will also be capacity for eVTOL vehicle storage and charging.
Urban-Air Port’s central aim is to reduce congestion in busy cities and create sustainable logistics solutions throughout the UK.
Leeds Bradford Airport Head of Planning Development Charles Johnson said: “This collaboration signifies an exciting development for the airport and highlights the ability of Yorkshire to lead on innovative infrastructure solutions.
“It’s fantastic to see how aviation and its partner industries are developing new technologies that will be essential to our future. I am looking forward to seeing how the project develops, as we continue to act as a key hub for connectivity in the UK.
Urban-Air Port Founder and CEO Ricky Sandhu said: “In putting this agreement with LBA in place, we are getting ahead of the curve for the next wave of logistics and infrastructure.
“We are looking forward to developing an ultra-compact, rapidly deployable, multi-functional operations hub with facilities for vehicles providing aircraft command and control, charging/refuelling, cargo and passenger loading.
He added: “This will result in a future with less vehicles on our roads and more sustainable cities.”
UAP – which recently revealed its first retail and F&B partners for “the travel retail experience of the future” – has begun building its first vertiport for passenger air taxis and logistics drones at a site in Coventry, UK.
Known as Air One, the first-of-its-kind hub for eVTOL aircraft will be officially opened at an event on 25 April. The Moodie Davitt Report will be in attendance to bring you coverage from the launch.
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