'World first' Urban-Air Port begins construction in Coventry
It's hoped this will help revolutionise transport
Last updated 10th Feb 2022
Construction on the ‘world’s first’ Urban-Air Port: Air One has started in Coventry.
It's a project that will see the city become a testbed for this groundbreaking technology, which plans to revolutionise transport and decarbonise the environment.
The City Council has partnered with British start-up Urban-Air Port Ltd, to showcase Air One, a rapidly deployable Urban-Air Port that is designed to support Electrical Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles for passenger air taxis and drone deployment for logistics
As the technology develops, it’s thought Urban-Air Port could support autonomous eVTOLs and drones (or unmanned aerial vehicles).
Urban-Air Port has identified the West Midlands as an ideal place to begin developing this network, with Coventry at the centre, as the heart of technology, logistics and infrastructure.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, said: “This is yet another way that Coventry is leading the way when it comes to transport innovation. We are right at the front of the green industrial revolution and this is a brilliant world first.
“We’re pleased to be working with our partners at Urban Airport to showcase this breakthrough system, which in the near future could help to boost productivity in our towns and cities as well as supporting climate change efforts by taking vehicles off the roads.
“One of the best things about Air One is that local schools will be able to visit, look round, and be inspired for what they can achieve.”
Ricky Sandhu, Founder & Executive Chariman at Urban-Air Port Ltd, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to get Urban-Air Port’s Air One on site – this marks a unique and transformative moment where the UK positions itself as the world’s leading player in advanced air mobility. Our technology will enable Coventry and other cities around the country and the world to decarbonise by enabling safe adoption of cleaner mobility solutions. We are grateful to our partners, investors, Coventry City Council and the UK Government for adopting our vision and now making advanced air mobility a viable and sustainable reality.”
Urban Airport Ltd is working with Coventry University’s National Transport Design Centre researching the Air One customer journey, making the urban airport accessible to all, easy to navigate and a pleasure to use.
The NTDC uses immersive virtual reality to allow people to experience and contribute to the design of this innovative transport system.
From 28 April to 15 May, Air One will be open to the public, with tours provided by the Urban-Air Port team.