BAI Energy picks Urban-Air Port to transform aviation infrastructure across Italy.
Three initial vertiport launch locations identified in Northern Italy as part of the BAI Energy strategic vision to transform underutilised Italian airfields into Advanced Air Mobility Hubs.
London, United Kingdom, August 5th, 2024
Urban-Air Port and sustainable infrastructure company, BAI Energy (BAI) today announce their partnership on an innovative strategic vision to rejuvenate and modernise aviation infrastructure in Italy, initially by redeveloping a trio of disused aerodromes across Italy to support the rollout of next-generation vertiports.
Starting in Northern Italy, the Phase 1 first three locations under negotiations are in Venice, Piedmont and Trieste. This relationship marks a significant step in BAI's ability to execute on its strategic vision.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with Urban-Air Port on an exclusive basis to transform underutilised aerodromes into state-of-the-art hubs for urban air mobility across these first three locations. Their vertiport solution is the most advanced we have seen and we have been very impressed by their approach, technical and commercial expertise – which perfectly aligns with our own goals when it comes to modernising and electrifying Italy’s transportation infrastructure.”
This collaboration will provide BAI access to Urban-Air Port (UAP) technology and services, including design, planning, infrastructure-supply and ability to leverage UAP’s cutting-edge proprietary solutions to equip aerodromes with state-of-the-art facilities and systems. The venture will benefit from strategic guidance from UAP's worlds class team to navigate the complexities of integrating advanced air mobility infrastructure into these locations, and develop robust operational and financial plans by utilising UAP’s proprietary, business modelling tools to enhance efficiency and support investment and growth.
Supported by Invest Italia and the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, BAI & UAP are already working to identify further complementary sites for Phase 2 that will form the basis of a fully connected network supporting passenger and cargo flights. BAI and UAP are currently in discussions with a number of preferred eVTOL manufacturers and operators.
Urban-Air Ports’ robotic Vertical Airfield for VTOL aircraft with integrated LG technologies - Exterior View
“We’re delighted that BAI Energy have chosen us to join them on this ground breaking & realistic approach to integrating advanced air mobility into this stunning region. Our modular vertiports are unrivalled and designed to integrate seamlessly into a variety of natural and built environments - that’s been our approach from the very beginning – a solution that is designed to fit in, and we can’t wait to get started in Italy.”
Urban-Air Ports’ departure boarding gate experience with integrated LG technologies - Interior View
“This is an exciting opportunity to revitalise underutilised aerodromes with potential to transform them into world class multi-modal vertiports - providing a new dimension of connectivity across this challenging Northern Italy geography. Northern Italy is just the beginning.”
Under the agreement, BAI has granted UAP the first right of refusal on any vertiport development and plans to work exclusively with them on these projects.
The collaboration between BAI and UAP is expected to set a new benchmark in urban air mobility and infrastructure development, starting in Northern Italy and then expanding to other regions – shaping and building a new era of air travel. UAP’s first overseas office in the EU is currently supporting BAI in the ongoing discussions with the local governments across the launch regions of Venice, Piedmont and Trieste. Their world class experience in real-estate, planning, design, construction, and in particular, their track record having successfully built and operated a fully functional vertiport in the centre of UK’s Coventry City Centre is of great value to this exciting initiative in Italy.
About Urban-Air Port®
Urban-Air Port is an award-winning infrastructure provider that develops landing and charging infrastructure for new forms of sustainable urban air transport such as passenger and cargo VTOL air taxis and autonomous delivery drones. Its mission is to enable the electrification of aviation by addressing the largest single constraint to sustainable air mobility – ground infrastructure – in order to create a zero-emission mobility ecosystem, significantly cutting congestion and air pollution from passenger and cargo transport.
Urban-Air Port is recognised as a world leader in the Advanced Air Mobility sector, with plans to deliver patented vertiport technology that provides ultra-compact, high-capacity infrastructure: this will revolutionise cities around the world, making them more connected and cleaner, thereby accelerating our green economic future. Urban-Air Port’s technology is proven to respond more effectively to the unique characteristics of electric & hybrid VTOL aircraft and therefore offer safer, quieter and more sustainable vertiport infrastructure than any other provider.
The Urban-Air Port technology-driven “Vertical Airfield” compacts a conventional airfield and allows for safe electric vertical take-off and landing at height, acting like an aircraft carrier. Urban-Air Port vertiports are 80% smaller than any other provider: they provide a modular design for flexible expansion, maximise eVTOL throughput and come with a modular energy storage system – all in all providing an enhanced passenger experience, and optimum performance and range for the eVTOL due to minimised energy consumption during ground operations.
Urban-Air Port’s Air-One project in Coventry, launched in April 2022 and supported by UK Government Research and Innovation funding, was the world’s first fully operational vertiport in such dense downtown location, with over 15,000 visitors and 150 successful flights orchestrated in the complex urban and air environment of downtown Coventry and within Coventry Airport’s Flight Restriction Zone.
The company is backed by major international partners, including Supernal (a part of Hyundai Motor Group) and Directors of M7 Real Estate (part of Oxford Properties). Urban-Air Port’s team of innovators, aeronautical engineers and aerospace experts have worked at companies including Airbus, Foster + Partners, Arup, BAA, Bank of Ireland, Knight Frank, McKinsey, Hyundai Motor Group, Vertical Aerospace, EASA, NATS, Uber, Qatar Airways, H55, Otto Aviation and the US Special Forces & British Army. Visit www.urbanairport.com for more information and follow us on LinkedIn.
About BAI Energy
BAI is a company dedicated to transforming aviation infrastructure with innovative and sustainable solutions. Headquartered in London, BAI Energy focuses on modernising disused aerodromes and their transformation into vibrant urban air mobility hubs. Working across sectors, BAI is on a mission to revolutionise marine transportation by promoting electric-powered solutions. The company’s vision is to create sustainable, climate-resilient solutions that enable the efficient and safe transportation of passengers and goods, driven by its core values of innovation, sustainability, and safety.
