Italy's Leap into Advanced Air Mobility: A Collaborative Vision for the Future
In a significant move towards revolutionizing transportation, ITA Airways, Airbus, UrbanV, and Enel have united to forge the future of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Italy. Announced on 31 January 2024, this partnership signifies a pivotal moment in the adoption of sustainable transportation technologies within the country. Stemming from an initial Memorandum of Understanding between ITA Airways and Airbus signed in April 2022, the collaboration now welcomes UrbanV and Enel to the fold, enhancing the commitment to develop a robust AAM ecosystem.
This collaborative effort is set to lay down a comprehensive roadmap aimed at the creation of an integrated AAM ecosystem in Italy. This involves a synergy between airline operations, eVTOL manufacturing, energy solutions, and vertiport operations. The focus is on practical aspects such as the operation of Airbus's eVTOL CityAirbus NextGen, standardization of ground services including energy supply, charging infrastructures, and the planning of vertiport networks. Additionally, the partners are dedicated to refining passenger experience models and identifying viable routes for this innovative mode of transport.
Francesco Presicce, Accountable Manager and Chief Technology Officer at ITA Airways, expressed enthusiasm about the venture, highlighting the airline's commitment to innovation and the future of passenger experience in air mobility. The development of this ecosystem is seen as a testament to ITA Airways and Airbus's forward-thinking approach since their initial collaboration.
Balkiz Sarihan, Head of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) at Airbus, emphasized the importance of creating conducive conditions for the operation and support of AAM vehicles beyond their development. Drawing on Airbus's experience with the Air Mobility Initiative in Bavaria, Sarihan expressed excitement about the opportunity to develop a similar ecosystem in Italy.
Carlo Tursi, CEO of UrbanV, shared the vision of transforming urban mobility through efficient, safe, and clean alternatives for short-distance transport. UrbanV's ambition to become a leading global operator of vertiport networks aligns with the goal of pioneering some of the first AAM routes worldwide. Tursi looks forward to exploring the potential of Urban Air Mobility in Italy alongside Airbus, Enel, and ITA Airways.
This partnership marks a strategic step towards integrating AAM into Italy's transportation matrix, promising to enhance mobility with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. As these industry leaders join forces, the project sets a promising trajectory for the future of urban air mobility, not just in Italy but as a model for global adoption.