Airport infrastructure management company Ferrovial has launched a project to develop a network of more than 20 interconnected vertiports in Spain.

The latest news follows on from Ferrovial’s earlier announcement with German eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium which created a framework agreement to build a network of 10 vertiports in Florida, USA.

The company – which has a 25 per cent stake in London’s Heathrow Airport – aims to design, build and operate all the infrastructure that is required to operate eVTOL aircraft. Locations and predicted timescales for the project have not yet been announced. The project’s financial viability hinges on access to European Recovery Funds. Ferrovial has already initiated the procedures by submitting replies to Expressions of Interest at the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

Vertiports – major step forward in achieving sustainable infrastructure

Gonzalo Velasco, Head of Innovation at Ferrovial Airports, said: “Vertiports represent a major step forward in achieving sustainable infrastructures for air mobility in the immediate future. Spain is well placed to be at the forefront of electric mobility and has the market potential to achieve it.”

The vertiport design in is being developed in cooperation with Spanish multinational IDOM, which will create an infrastructure adapted to passenger transport using electric vehicles. Both infrastructure and services will make use of green energy to attain the highest standards of sustainability. The vertiports will be planned with suitable areas for parking both eVTOL aircraft and terrestrial electric vehicles, as well as charging stations.

Ferrovial Airports is working with Spanish big data specialist DatActionS to identify optimal locations and estimate user demand. It is also calling for the support of Europe’s leading eVTOL aircraft developers including Airbus, Lilium, and Tecnalia, a research and technological development centre based in Spain.

Jorge Gil, CEO of Ferrovial Airports, added: “At Ferrovial Airports we are committed to providing new sustainable mobility alternatives that will enable us to decongest intercity traffic and offer a fast, comfortable passenger experience.”

Ferrovial Airports invests, develops and operates 33 airports around the world in the United States, Australia and Chile. It currently has four airports in the United Kingdom – it owns 50 per cent of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports as well as Heathrow.
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