The Australian developer of vertiports has thrown its weight behind the recently unveiled Superior Air Mobility Motion Plan for Victoria’s state development. This plan represents a significant milestone in laying the groundwork for air taxi services and various Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) endeavors.
In 2018, Melbourne was selected, along with Dallas and Los Angeles, as one of three initial cities for Uber Air’s urban air mobility pilots. Since then, the trade has been patiently waiting for a definitive government policy outlining its approach to vertiport land use planning.
Australia’s air mobility sector is eager for a clear regulatory framework on vertiport land use planning, prompting authorities coverage management; Skyportz’ CEO Clem Newton-Brown welcomes today’s announcement by the Victorian Government.
In line with the pre-established motion plan, the Division of Transport and Planning will create and disseminate preliminary guidance materials over the next 12 months. These materials will facilitate the assessment of early vertiport operations under the existing Victorian regulatory regime. By 2026, the division aims to assess and revise specific land-use regulations and urban planning codes to facilitate a comprehensive approach to vertiport infrastructure development.
While exploring innovative solutions, the Division of Transport and Planning will integrate superior air mobility with cutting-edge zero-emission aviation technologies to shape Victoria’s transportation network, urban planning strategies, and logistics systems for a sustainable future.
“This development marks a significant milestone for the property improvement industry, signaling an opportunity to rethink logistics and transportation strategies,” said Newton-Brown. He stressed that a comprehensive vertiport infrastructure remains the key missing component essential to unlocking the full potential of this industry. Without accessible and convenient vertiport touchdown websites in locations individuals frequently visit, the air taxi industry will struggle to reach its full potential.
Skyportz aims to revolutionize the aviation industry by liberating air travel from traditional airport constraints, empowering commercial and industrial property developers to establish vertiports on their premises. More than 400 Australian real estate websites have expressed interest in hosting a vertiport.
As the property market’s interest in vertiport developments grows rapidly, we predict that these innovations will command higher rental rates as businesses seek to attract drone freight and air taxi services for their clients, said Newton-Brown.
CASA, the Australian aviation regulator, has released guidelines for vertiports as part of its commitment to driving the development of Superior Air Mobility in Australia. The proposed regulations suggest excluding helicopter operations from newly established vertiports to facilitate community acceptance and support the growth of electric air taxi services.
“This development might provide the opportunity for the AAM trade to demonstrate to the community that a dedicated vertiport, catering exclusively to air taxis, could be even more captivating than a traditional heliport.” For communities to readily adopt AAM as a viable trade option, securing a ‘social licence’ is crucially important? With clear guidelines on vertiport steerage ruling out helicopter utilization, we anticipate a more open-minded reception from local authorities and community stakeholders in welcoming Advanced Air Mobility initiatives into their neighborhoods, Newton-Brown observed.
With the successful execution of this strategic plan, Victoria is poised to take a leading position in the rapidly evolving Superior Air Mobility industry, ultimately driving advancements in air travel and supply chain management.
Learn extra:
