How Airports Are Preparing for Advanced Air Mobility

U.S. exploring vertiports, uncrewed traffic management systems, and other infrastructure for AAM.

Jack Daleo

Monday, April 27, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Aerial rendering of Advanced Air Mobility vertiport concept in Orlando, Florida. [Credit: Greater Orlando Aviation Authority]

Key Takeaways:

Airports are preparing for the significant challenge of integrating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, such as eVTOLs and autonomous drones, into existing aviation operations.
This integration necessitates the widespread development of new physical infrastructure, primarily "vertiports" (dedicated electric takeoff and landing areas), with pioneering efforts like Orlando International Airport's planned facility by 2028.
Key infrastructure requirements include substantial energy supply for aircraft charging, along with advanced digital uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) traffic management (UTM) platforms to manage the influx of new air traffic.
Regulatory bodies like the FAA are providing initial design guidance (e.g., EB 105A) while conducting ongoing research, simulations, and real-world pilot programs to develop comprehensive performance-based standards and operational procedures for safe AAM deployment.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Airports are always modernizing to adapt to new challenges such as safety and sustainability.

Soon, though, they could face one of their greatest challenges yet—the integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, autonomous drones, and other advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft.