UK vertiport developer Urban-Air Port (UAP) has secured investment from Supernal, previously the Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group. The funding will help support UAP’s plans to develop 200 vertiport sites across the world in the next five years.
Vertiport sites will provide the infrastructure needed to enable mass adoption of eVTOL aircraft – such as cargo drones and air taxis.
This is the first time a major eVTOL company has invested in a ground infrastructure developer to enable advanced air mobility.
Supernal’s investment will help support the development of UAP’s various new vertiport models and expansion into new markets.
The world’s first fully operational hub for eVTOLs, Air-One, will open for “public visitation” in the UK city of Coventry in April this year. Supernal says it will start operating commercial services from 2028.
Ricky Sandhu, Founder and Executive Chairman of Urban-Air Port, says, “Cars need roads. Trains need rails. Planes need airports. eVTOLs need Urban-Air Ports. Despite the unparalleled potential of eVTOL aircraft to revolutionise mobility, the importance of the ground infrastructure that enables them is too often overlooked. With Supernal’s investment and expertise and connection to Hyundai Motor Group, we can supercharge the rollout of sustainable, intermodal and scalable ground infrastructure that will unleash the future of advanced air mobility globally.”
Jaiwon Shin, Chief Executive Officer of Supernal and President, Hyundai Motor Group, adds, “At Supernal, we are on a mission to transform how people and society move, connect, and live; therefore, it is essential we not only develop electric air vehicles, but also help shape the broader advanced air mobility market from the ground up. We are pleased to continue working with Urban-Air Port and support its efforts to create ground infrastructure that works seamlessly with eVTOLs and integrates the advanced air mobility industry with existing modes of transportation.”
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