Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), and SITA, the world’s leading IT provider to the air transport industry, has entered a partnership, with SITA selected as Volocopter’s preferred digital and IT systems partner for vertiports. volocopter vertiports

Vertiports are the equivalent of airports for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft such as electric air taxis and drones. Under the agreement, SITA has become the latest investor to join Volocopter’s Series E funding round, cementing the strategic vision espoused by this partnership.

UAM will offer a new form of sustainable aviation, replete with multiple mobility options to cities worldwide. The company’s launch product, the VoloCity electric air taxi, will operate routes in congested megacities to offer future passengers stable, quiet, and safe flights. Flights can be hailed via designated boarding points (or “vertiports”). The partnership, therefore, has the potential to shape aviation industry standards.

SITA and Volocopter’s Digital-First Approach to UAM Ecosystem

SITA will deploy its expertise in air transport for the emerging UAM industry, developing new operating standards and a digital-first passenger experience. SITA’s portfolio includes a wide range of IT solutions, including airport management and operations, passenger operations, flight and aircraft operations, baggage processing, and border management.

Volocopter is known for its integrated UAM ecosystem approach. Its digital operating system, the VoloIQ, connects all partners, thus enabling a holistic service. The VoloIQ, therefore, enables a digital-first approach that will translate to end-to-end passenger air transportation experiences. This cloud-based system is in the process of being certified by the relevant aviation authorities.

Christian Bauer, Chief Commercial Officer at Volocopter, said: “Volocopter consistently takes a holistic ecosystem approach. Working in concert with our partners, we are setting up commercial operations. This involves establishing the requisite infrastructure, maintenance, flight operations, IT, and customer services. SITA is a leading IT provider for airports and airlines, and we believe there is no better partner to make our seamless travel experience possible.”

Sergio Colella, SITA President for Europe, said: “Volocopter is in pole position to make electric air taxis a reality, benefiting from its first-mover advantage. At SITA, we will play a key role in delivering this new digital UAM world and defining a seamless, smarter approach to air travel in a city environment. Together we will turn the theory into practice as early as 2024 when we expect the first commercial eVTOLs to take flight.”

Some vertiport projects underway around the world include: volocopter vertiports

1. Singapore: The Singapore government announced plans to build a network of at least 10 vertiports by 2030 to support air taxis and other urban air mobility (UAM) services.
2. Los Angeles, USA: The Los Angeles mayor’s office has partnered with several companies to develop a vertiport network for UAM services, including a proposed vertiport at the Los Angeles International Airport.
3. Helsinki, Finland: Finnish airport operator Finavia is building a prototype vertiport at Helsinki Airport to test UAM operations and technologies.
4. London, UK: Several companies, including Lilium and Vertical Aerospace, have proposed plans to build vertiports in London to support UAM services.

Overall, the partnership between Volocopter and SITA is poised to make significant strides in the emerging UAM industry, with potential implications for the future of air travel in urban environments. Volocopter had conducted multiple successful test flights of its eVTOL aircraft in various cities around the world, including Dubai, Singapore, Helsinki, Stuttgart, and Las Vegas.

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