ITA Airways, Airbus, UrbanV, and enel unite for advanced air mobility in Italy

Thursday, February 1, 2024

ITA Airways, Airbus, UrbanV, and Enel have joined forces to advance and foster the growth of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem in Italy. This collaboration is aimed at championing the adoption of this innovative technology and fostering the development of a sustainable transportation solution through the dedication and collaboration of key national mobility stakeholders.

Building upon the initial Memorandum of Understanding between ITA Airways and Airbus signed in April 2022, this expanded partnership now includes two additional key players: UrbanV, the vertiport network operator, and Enel, serving as the solutions provider. The new Memorandum of Understanding focuses on establishing a collaborative roadmap for the development of an AAM ecosystem in Italy. The airline operator, eVTOL manufacturer (OEM), energy solution provider, and vertiport operator will work collectively to explore various business models in collaboration with essential national stakeholders crucial for the successful introduction of this innovative service in Italy.

Specifically, the partners will concentrate on operational aspects of the Airbus eVTOL CityAirbus NextGen, examining the standardization of ground services such as energy supply, charging infrastructures, support and service concepts, vertiport and network planning, as well as defining passenger experience models and identifying suitable routes.

Francesco Presicce, Accountable Manager and Chief Technology Officer of ITA Airways, expressed, “ITA Airways embarked on its operations in October 2021, and from the outset, we committed to a forward-looking approach, placing our bets on innovation. In April 2022, our collaboration with Airbus commenced, leading to the realization of this ecosystem—a tangible reality today. This underscores our trajectory towards shaping the future of Advanced Air Mobility and enhancing the passenger experience.”

Balkiz Sarihan, Head of UAM at Airbus, emphasized the importance of going beyond vehicle development for a successful Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) business. Recognizing the need to collaboratively establish the operational and support conditions for these vehicles, Sarihan pointed to Airbus’s experience in developing AAM ecosystems such as the Air Mobility Initiative (AMI) in Bavaria. Expressing enthusiasm, she stated that Airbus is eager to actively contribute to the creation of a similar ecosystem in Italy.

Carlo Tursi, Chief Executive Officer of UrbanV, added, “At UrbanV, our objective is to enhance people’s lives by providing a fast, efficient, safe, and eco-friendly alternative for both passenger and goods transport over short distances through the air. We aspire to become a prominent global operator of vertiport networks, pioneering some of the first AAM routes worldwide. Collaborating with Airbus, Enel, and ITA Airways—leaders in their respective fields—is an exciting prospect, and we eagerly anticipate exploring the vast potential of Urban Air Mobility in the Italian market.”

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