Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

Overview

What is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)?

AAM is a new frontier in transportation, offering a practical solution to the challenges of urban congestion. The concept of flying over traffic-clogged streets, once a distant dream, is now becoming a reality. Modern aircraft, often referred to as “air taxis,” are set to transport passengers and goods safely and efficiently across urban, regional, and rural landscapes. This innovation promises to connect airports with city centers and link remote regions with urban hubs, potentially transforming the current urban mobility landscape.

However, the successful implementation of AAM depends on the development of a robust and comprehensive ecosystem. In collaboration with our subsidiary amd.sigma Strategic Airport Development GmbH and other international partners, we are actively involved in developing this ecosystem globally.


AAM encompasses a new paradigm of mobility, including:

  • Urban Air Mobility: Focusing on short-range flights within cities.
  • Regional Air Mobility: Covering longer distances, connecting different regions.
  • Regional Air Transport: Catering to both passengers and cargo over extended ranges.


As leaders in the development of airport infrastructure, we are committed to advancing AAM as a sustainable and efficient solution for the future of mobility.

Study of a vertiport © amd.sigma strategic airport development GmbH
  • CityAirbus NextGen: all-electric four-seat eVTOL prototype by Airbus © Airbus
  • CityAirbus NextGen: Fully-electric and integrated urban air mobility © Airbus
  • eVTOL: the Lilium Jet © Lilium GmbH
  • Study: Lilium Jet flying over urban area © Lilium GmbH

Electric flying - what is an eVTOL?

eVTOL stands for an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. These aircraft use electric power to take off, hover and land vertically. Resembling drones, they are often referred to as air taxis and make flying more sustainable and quieter. Currently, numerous eVTOL aircraft are being developed by a multitude of companies such as Airbus, Lilium, Volocopter, Joby and many more. In the beginning eV-TOLs will be pilot operated as conventional aircrafts but might become remote controlled or autonomous in the long-term future. 

Powered by fully electric or hybrid systems, they represent a significant step toward carbon-neutral transportation. Individual manufacturers are also working on concepts with hydrogen and are achieving promising results.

What are potential use cases for AAM?

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is in the process of complementing various mobility sectors with its innovative applications. The most important use cases include


Transport of People

  • Inner-City Air Taxis: Offering rapid and efficient transportation within densely populated urban areas, inner-city air taxis can significantly reduce travel times and alleviate ground traffic congestion. These services will provide a new level of convenience for commuters, tourists, and business travelers, enabling swift transit across cities.

  • Airport Shuttles: Seamlessly connecting airports with surrounding areas, airport shuttles will enhance passenger experience by providing quick and direct routes to and from major transportation hubs.

  • Inter-City Air Taxis: Facilitating fast travel between cities, inter-city air taxis will offer a viable alternative to traditional modes of transportation such as trains and cars. This service will be particularly valuable for business travelers and individuals requiring efficient, long-distance travel options. 

  • Aerial Tourism: eVTOLs are gaining importance as a potential substitute for helicopter tours, as they offer a quieter and more environmentally friendly option for sightseeing and tourist flights.

Other Applications

  • Emergency Medical Services (EMS): AAM can play a crucial role in emergency medical services by providing swift transport for patients, medical personnel, and supplies. Air ambulances equipped with advanced medical fa-cilities can significantly reduce response times and improve outcomes in critical situations.

  • Logistics Transport: AAM can transform logistics by enabling the rapid delivery of goods and packages. This use case is particularly advantageous for time-sensitive deliveries in demanding territories.

  • Military Use: The military can leverage AAM for various and scenarios.

These diverse applications of AAM highlight its potential to contribute to existing transportation landscape, logistics, and emergency services, making it a pivotal technology for the future.

What is a Vertiport?

As AAM evolves, Vertiports are emerging as the essential ground infrastructure for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These hubs, varying in size to meet different operational needs - ranging from Vertistops (smaller, limited service points) to Vertihubs (larger, comprehensive service centers) - are meticulously designed to support the unique requirements of eVTOL operations, encompassing several critical components:

  • Final Approach and Take-Off Area (FATO): A designated area where eVTOLs execute their final approach to a hover or landing and initiate their take-off maneuver, ensuring precision and safety during these critical phases.

  • Touchdown and Lift-Off Area (TLOF): The specific location where eVTOLs touch down and lift off, engineered to accommodate the demands of vertical flight.

  • Taxiways and Taxi Routes: Pathways that guide eVTOLs to and from their stands, ensuring efficient ground movement within the Vertiport.

  • Aircraft Stands: Designated areas for parking, loading, unloading, and preparing eVTOLs for their next flight.

  • Charging Infrastructure: Essential facilities for charging of the eVTOL.

  • Vertiport Operations Facilities: Areas dedicated to managing and overseeing vertiport operations, including passenger services, air traffic control, and maintenance – either directly at the vertiport or remote in a vertiport operations control center.

Vertiports are ideally integrated into a mobility landscape close to other transportation options, such as airports, bus stops, train stations or car parks, to ensure swift intermodal connections.

For AAM to achieve commercial viability, Vertiport infrastructure must be strategically implemented in various locations:

  • Airports: Integrating Vertiports into existing airport infrastructure presents a complex challenge. It requires a comprehensive understanding of regulatory requirements, strategic planning, and operational logistics. Successfully incorporating Vertiports into large airports will streamline passenger transfers between

  • Urban Environment: Vertiports in urban settings will play a crucial role in reducing congestion and providing rapid transit options within cities and business districts. These hubs can be strategically located in innovation parks, shopping centers, large company campuses, and harbors, blending seamlessly into the landscape and providing convenient access for both public and business travelers.

The integration of Vertiports, particularly within major airports and urban environment, demands a holistic approach. It involves navigating a complex web of regulatory frameworks, strategic considerations, and operational challenges. With the right expertise and planning, Vertiports will become pivotal components of the transportation networks of the future, enabling efficient and sustainable urban air mobility solutions.

Study a vertiport  © amd.sigma strategic airport development GmbH
study of a vertiport terminal © amd.sigma strategic airport development GmbH

Developing a comprehensive AAM ecosystem

One vertiport is not enough

Implementing new mobility solutions like AAM requires several critical success factors:

  • High-Performance Aircraft: Ensuring aircraft meet rigorous performance expectations.

  • Strategic Planning: Developing well-researched and effective strategies.

  • Political Support: Securing backing from government entities.

  • Regulatory Framework: Establishing a practical and supportive regulatory environment.

  • Sustainable Business Models: Creating economically viable business models.

  • Clear Value Proposition: Demonstrating clear benefits to users.

  • Public Acceptance: Achieving acceptance through visible advantages.

  • Investment: Building a comprehensive AAM ecosystem requires substantial investment, not just for vehicle manufacturers but across the entire ecosystem. Stakeholders need to attract investors with convincing business models, solid partnerships, and effective marketing strategies to support and sustain the growth of AAM.


Project stakeholders must carefully balance predicted economic and social benefits against potential negative impacts. Ultimately, the future of mobility will be shaped by testing innovative concepts in real-world scenarios.

The success of AAM heavily relies on developing a comprehensive ecosystem that includes vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators, ground infrastructure and service providers, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) and AOG (Aircraft on Ground) services, as well as air traffic management and digital infrastructure.

This ecosystem requires interdisciplinary expertise from primary function players like vehicle manufacturers and supporting stakeholders such as authorities and communities. Effective collaboration between all stakeholders, with a primary focus on customer experience, is essential to unlock the full potential of AAM.

A collaborative vision is key

All parties should work together towards a common vision: enabling passengers to travel safely and conveniently, whether scheduled or on-demand, with their cabin luggage, ensuring that the journey with eVTOL aircraft is a positive experience worth repeating.


Vertiport on a parking garage © amd.sigma strategic airport development GmbH

Our 10 step approach to developing successful vertiport projects and local AAM ecosystems 

Pioneering the future-proof development of airports worldwide, we have a track record of over 30 years of experience in the entire airport-lifecyle. Thus, we follow a comprehensive 10-step approach in developing a AAM ecosystem – starting from an early strategy development to the Operational Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) of a Vertiport.

Being involved in public research projects as well as commercial client projects worldwide, we have built extensive expertise that we will bring to your projects.  

Air Mobility Initiative - Pioneering Advanced Air Mobility

We are proud to be part of the Air Mobility Initiative (AMI) – a research project supported by the Free State of Bavaria, which aims to accelerate the development of an AAM ecosystem in Bavaria. Our mission is to fly passengers with an all-electric CityAirbus from Munich to Ingolstadt before 2032.

To achieve this target, leading companies, universities, research institutes, munic-ipalities and private organizations have joined forces and engage in different research projects. Within the AMI project, Munich Airport International is working on a holistic conceptualization of a slot-neutral vertiport in an airport environment and the conceptualization of a vertiport in an urban environment.

Learn more about the Air Mobility Initiative 


Project: Vertiport Integration at airports


Region: Bavaria, Germany 

Project Scope:
During the last years a competence cluster for Advanced Air Mobility has developed in Bavaria. Among others, four well-known eVTOL manufacturers are located in Bavaria. Accordingly, there is a high level of interest from several parties in establishing an ecosystem in Bavaria and connecting Munich Airport by means of the Airport Shuttle Use Case.


  • Holistic project management
  • Definition of AAM strategy (incl. use case selection, development of persona model)
  • Determination of possible route network and an associated traffic forecast
  • Conducting a location study to identify suitable places for vertiports
  • Vertiport planning and design
  • Process design and development of a concept of operations
  • Verification of the economic viability of the investment by means of definition of the vertiport business model and the business case from an airport operator's point of view
  • Development of possibilities for integration into the airspace
  • Clarification of regulatory and licensing requirements
  • Co-design of the legal framework
  • Development of a partner network as a basis for ecosystem development

Project: Development of a wholistic AAM Strategy 



Region: Americas

Project Scope:
High utilization of mobility systems, especially in urban areas, creates a need for new mobility concepts. Economic upswing, technological progress and growing ecological awareness are opening up opportunities for the emergence of a market for (electric) advanced air mobility in the relevant country. Following an initial market survey by the client, the opportunities for advanced air mobility in the relevant country are now to be assessed on a strategic level. MAI has conducted a preliminary analysis and leading discussions on which opportunities are there for AAM and how a potential way forward might look like. 


  • Holistic project management
  • Identification of a potential AAM-model regions in the country
  • Top-down definition of potential AAM-use cases on a strategic level
  • Definition of market-entry approach
  • Strategic design of the necessary AAM-ecosystem, with focus on passenger use case
  • Definition of a vertiport network and related traffic forecast
  • Derivation of a basic business case from the perspective of the infrastructure operator
  • Definition of the necessary next steps

Project: InterRegional eAirport / Regional Airport Development



Region:
Europe

Project Scope: 
MAI/amd.sigma was tasked with analyzing the potential of Essen-Mülheim Airport, aiming to highlight its current value and future growth opportunities. The approach involved examining the airport's infrastructure, market dynamics, and stakeholder perspectives to develop a customized roadmap for its sustained success. Through an in-depth analysis of passenger trends, cargo movements, and regional economic factors, areas for potential expansion and diversification were identified. Drawing upon data from assessments and stakeholder inputs, a tailored development concept to optimize the airport's growth trajectory was crafted. Central to the analysis was the integration of a vertiport, aligning with Urban Air Mobility (UAM) trends. This strategic addition not only enhances the airport's connectivity but also positions it as a key player in shaping the future of aerial mobility in the region and through this driving innovation.


  • Potential Analysis: Unveiling current strengths and future prospects of Essen-Mülheim Airport for strategic growth planning
  • Infrastructure Assessment: Evaluating airport assets and capacities to optimize operational efficiency and facilitate expansion
  • Development Concept: Crafting a strategic blueprint tailored to Essen-Mülheim Airport's specific needs and opportunities, ensuring sustainable development
  • Market Analysis: Analyzing passenger trends, cargo demands, and economic factors to identify growth opportunities and market niches
  • Inventory Analysis: Assessing available resources and assets to inform future development strategies and investment decisions
  • Integration of Vertiport: Incorporating a vertiport into the airport infrastructure to enhance connectivity and participate in the emerging Urban Air Mobility landscape
  • Stakeholder Management: Campaign concepts and public events

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