NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants) and Urban-Air Port (UAP) will explore integrating UAP ground infrastructure technology into airport masterplan projects around the world.
The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), making NACO the first specialist aviation planning consultancy to back UAP in this way. The MoU follows the successful pilot installation in Coventry, UK, where UAP proved its technology to a global audience.
This is a major milestone for Urban-Air Port in terms of shaping the future of advanced air mobility, but also for us as a business
NACO will further support UAP on airport land-use planning, regional vertiport network business modelling, eVTOL demand simulation and surface transport intermodal transport modelling. NACO and UAP will also explore special systems for the integration of UAP vertiports to support regulatory pathways for the first use cases: eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) flights to/from airports.
Sustainability is core to both of our companies and must underpin the future of aviation in a meaningful way
UAP specialises in compact and scalable landing/take off infrastructure for drones and eVTOL aircraft, allowing both airport and aircraft to safely transition and support the electrification of aviation. Next Gen AirOne, launched earlier this month, has a unique multi-stacked hangar that provides an 8+ stand vertiport configuration using 80% less real estate.
“This is a major milestone for Urban-Air Port in terms of shaping the future of advanced air mobility, but also for us as a business. We passed the pilot stage with our successful build in Coventry, and we have demonstrated AirOne’s commercial, as well as operational, viability with our orders from the US and recognition from industry experts and regulatory bodies for safety.
“NACO is one of the world’s best aviation planners and integrators, and as a valued partner, I’m delighted they see such great potential in UAPs technology and its relevance for airports around the world. I’m proud of what the team has achieved and excited to take UAP into its next phase – to enable the first routes to and from regional and international airports – paving the way with the best in the business,” said Andrea Wu, CEO, Urban-Air Port.
NACO has been one of UAP’s project partners since June 2023. UAP collaborated with the consultancy to define eVTOL ground infrastructure requirements for airports and other clients around the world.
We look forward to bringing our experience in airport master planning and urban mobility to help develop sustainable air transportation and intermodal solutions
Ricky Sandhu, executive chairman of UAP, previously worked with NACO on airport projects around the world while at Foster + Partners. He said: "NACO has a deep understanding of the nuances of airport planning and master planning, and its experience in optimising operational efficiency for its traditional airport clients is second to none. This is precisely what we believe at UAP for our vertiport clients.
“Sustainability is core to both of our companies and must underpin the future of aviation in a meaningful way – this is why I’m personally thrilled to be working in closer partnership with the like-minded and immensely talented team at NACO to ensure we advance this sector in the right way, that is viable and holistically sustainable."
This landmark MoU demonstrates UAP’s leadership in next-generation aviation infrastructure. AirOne will support growth in eVTOL operations at airports, ultimately connecting air taxi passengers with onward flights, as well as providing a platform for other intermodal connectivity to support airports’ growth and accessibility.
“We are thrilled to be exploring the possibilities around electric flight such as eVTOL with Urban-Air Port. The team has a huge amount of experience in developing facilities for this kind of technology – particularly with the launch of the world’s first fully operational vertiport in Coventry in the UK – and we look forward to bringing our global experience in airport master planning and urban mobility to help develop sustainable air transportation and intermodal solutions fit for the future,” said Esther Kromhout, CEO, NACO.
Image: Urban-Air Port
