In a bold step toward advancing Urban Air Mobility (UAM) infrastructure, Osaka Metro Co., Ltd. has revealed plans for the OSAKAKO Vertiport, a dedicated eVTOL takeoff and landing hub near the iconic Osaka Bay waterfront. Scheduled to be operational ahead of the Osaka-Kansai Japan Expo 2025, this facility is more than a temporary Expo installation; it’s a calculated pilot project signaling Japan’s intent to fold UAM into its future transport ecosystem.
eVTOL News | Electric Aircraft News | Advanced Air Mobility News
EHang recently celebrated a significant milestone as the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) granted Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) to EHang General Aviation and Heyi Aviation for the EH216-S eVTOL. According to coverage by China eVTOL News, this marks the first time a pilotless, passenger-carrying aerial vehicle has received regulatory approval for commercial operations. It highlights an ongoing shift in how authorities view short-hop electric aircraft and their potential to offer low-altitude tourism, sightseeing excursions, and other services in cities like Guangzhou and Hefei.
XTI Aerospace has steadily drawn interest from the aviation community through its efforts to bring a new era of vertical takeoff and landing to business and regional travel. In a key milestone, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has formally accepted XTI’s application for type certification of its TriFan 600 aircraft. This acceptance signals that the path toward commercial approval is underway.
While offering unparalleled convenience and luxury, the private jet charter industry presents clients with complex challenges impacting operational efficiency, safety, and financial planning. These problems can range from minor inconveniences to significant disruptions that impact travel plans and budgets. As demand for on-demand air travel grows, understanding these systemic issues becomes essential for frequent flyers and first-time users.
Australian vertiport developer Skyportz has unveiled an innovative patent that addresses one of the most significant obstacles facing urban air mobility: the powerful and potentially dangerous airflows generated by eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. Released at the Avalon International Airshow in Melbourne, this innovative approach effectively manages the downwash and outwash effects, having the potential to change the game for aerial transportation in cities.
Electra.aero has secured 2,200 pre-orders for its innovative EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft, valued at nearly $9 billion. This development positions Electra with one of the largest order pipelines in the emerging AAM sector, demonstrating substantial market confidence in their creative approach to regional air transportation. The company's technology combines blown lift aerodynamics with hybrid-electric propulsion to create an aircraft capable of taking off and landing in extremely short distances. This could significantly transform how people and cargo are transported between locations currently underserved by traditional aviation.
Digital twin technology has emerged as an innovative solution for modern fleet management, offering unprecedented opportunities to transform how business aircraft are operated, maintained, and optimized. By creating virtual replicas of physical assets that update in real-time, operators gain deeper insights, improve efficiency, and reduce costs in previously unthinkable ways.
The Pilatus PC-24 combines a turboprop’s versatility with a light jet’s performance. Dubbed the “Swiss Army Knife” of private jets, this remarkable aircraft has carved out a unique niche in the aviation market since its introduction.
The aviation industry is rapidly evolving beyond traditional transportation paradigms, with multi-modal integration emerging as a key strategy for enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability. This shift presents challenges and opportunities for business aviation professionals to reimagine how private air travel fits into the broader transportation ecosystem. The partnership between Delta Air Lines and Joby Aviation offers valuable insights for business aviation operators seeking to position themselves advantageously in this changing landscape.
In a major achievement for the Japanese electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) industry, Japan-based SkyDrive Inc. announced on February 10, 2025, that the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) had issued a G-1 certification basis for its flagship eVTOL aircraft. This pivotal achievement represents a crucial step in SkyDrive's journey toward full aircraft certification and commercial operations, positioning the company at the forefront of Japan's emerging urban air mobility sector.
The low-altitude economy, encompassing economic activities within airspace below 1,000 meters, experienced remarkable growth in Q1 2025. This rapidly evolving sector, driven by advancements in cargo delivery, urban air taxi services, and medical transport, has gained momentum in China, where it has been officially designated as a strategic emerging industry with significant national investment. Over the past 45 days, China’s institutional reforms solidified its leadership position, Europe accelerated regulatory harmonization, and North America advanced urban air mobility integration. Concurrently, technological breakthroughs in battery technology and vertiport infrastructure have reached critical maturation points, enabling operational scalability across global markets. This report analyzes these key developments and their implications for the future of aerial mobility.
In a landmark European urban air mobility achievement, EHang successfully conducted the first unmanned eVTOL flight in an urban environment. The Chinese company's EH216-S aircraft completed this groundbreaking demonstration in Benidorm, Spain, on February 28, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of advanced air mobility across the continent.
Chartering a private jet represents a significant financial investment, but its value proposition extends far beyond luxury. Private aviation offers unparalleled flexibility, productivity, and operational convenience for businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and those prioritizing time efficiency. This report will evaluate when private jet chartering becomes a strategically justified choice. Key findings include hourly charter rates ranging from $1,800 to $14,000, time savings of 6–10 hours per trip compared to commercial flights, and enhanced accessibility to over 5,000 airports globally. The decision to charter vs flying commercial hinges on factors such as group size, travel frequency, itinerary complexity, and the economic value of time saved.
.jpg)
The PiperJet Altaire was Piper Aircraft's ambitious entry into the very light jet (VLJ) market, designed to combine a single-engine turboprop's efficiency with a business jet's performance. Targeting a maximum cruise speed of 360 knots and a range of 1,300 nautical miles, the Altaire promised a spacious cabin for up to six passengers, advanced avionics, and competitive operating costs. Despite hitting technical milestones and securing over 150 pre-orders, the project was indefinitely suspended in 2011 due to rising development costs and weak market projections for light jets. Piper preserved the Altaire's intellectual property, leaving a legacy of innovation cut short by economic realities.
- Vertiport Planning & Zoning: Integrating eVTOL operations in dense urban areas
- ZeroAvia’s Electric Propulsion System Powers Jetcruzer 500E
- Vertiport Power Demands and Grid Infrastructure Realities
- NASA’s Sulfur Selenium solid-state battery Technology Impact on eVTOL Aircraft Development
- Beyond Aero's BYA-1: The Future of Zero-Emission Business Aviation
- How AI and blockchain technology are driving the Evolution of FBO Operations in 2025
- AutoFlight Aviation's V2000CG eVTOL: A New Heavy-Lift Cargo Drones
- EHang Opens Automated Takeoff-Landing Facility for eVTOL Vehicles
- Honeywell Anthem Gets Boost from NXP Partnership for Advanced Air Mobility
- Shanghai's Action Plan for the Low-Altitude Economy Industry 2024–2027