The world’s largest network of private aviation terminals could soon accommodate electric aircraft in Florida.
On Friday, FBO network Signature Aviation announced a partnership to research infrastructure for Beta Technologies’ Alia—an electric conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) design—at its terminals across the state. The aircraft will be flown by partner UrbanLink Air Mobility, a fledgling operator that signed a lease agreement for up to 10 Alia CTOLs in July.
Under a letter of intent (LOI), the partners are “actively pursuing” an UrbanLink operating and maintenance base at an unnamed South Florida airport. Ed Wegel, the founder and CEO of UrbanLink, said the company will be “working closely” with Signature on the development of vertiports—electrified takeoff and landing hubs.
“This partnership showcases how our team is looking to the future to deliver those great experiences and together with UrbanLink, we’re looking forward to growing the infrastructure and access for all-electric air mobility throughout the state of Florida,” said Tony Lefebvre, CEO of Signature, in a statement.
Along with Los Angeles and San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miami is planned to be one of UrbanLink’s “hub cities.”
Signature’s Florida network includes Miami International Airport (KMIA) as well as nearby Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (KFLL) and Palm Beach International (KPBI) airports. It also comprises Tampa International (KTPA), Orlando International (KMCO), and Jacksonville International (KJAX) airports, in addition to several executive and municipal airfields.
Some have already shown an interest in electric aircraft. Orlando International, for example, hopes to have an operational vertiport by 2028. Boeing air taxi unit Wisk Aero, which has also established Miami as a hub, is working with Signature to introduce its own eVTOL air taxi, the autonomous Generation 6.
Electric Dreams
UrbanLink’s goal is to offer zero-emission travel within a 500-mile range by 2028, and within a 1,000-mile range by 2030. It will accomplish that using a fleet of all-electric air and maritime vehicles.
The operator’s July lease agreement will net it up to 10 Beta Alia CTOLs, and it plans to acquire the company’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) variant once it becomes available. The CTOL is designed for a pilot plus five passengers, with a demonstrated range of 336 nm and projected cruise speed of about 135 knots.
UrbanLink also has a presale agreement with Spain’s Crisalion for up to 20 Integrity eVTOL aircraft, which like Alia are designed for five passengers. It had previously planned to add Eviation’s all-electric, nine-passenger Alice and Lilium’s eVTOL jet. But Eviation has since paused work on Alice and laid off most of its staff, while Lilium was dissolved and its patents acquired by eVTOL air taxi firm Archer Aviation.
Under an agreement with Traverse Aero, UrbanLink will acquire up to 40 Orca hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drones, which have a range of 600 miles and cargo capacity of 550 pounds. It also plans to operate zero-emission water taxis from Artemis Technologies and all-electric Viceroy seagliders from Regent Craft, with which it increased its order from 27 to 47 in May.
The company plans to offer all-electric, zero-emission passenger flights across Florida, from South Florida and Key West to Orlando and Tampa. In July, it said it was in discussions with “several major international airlines” to provide connecting services from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach, as well as with cruise lines for service between airports and cruise ports.
Other passenger operations could launch in Southern California, the Caribbean, and Spain and Italy.
The Orca drones, meanwhile, will first be deployed to Puerto Rico for the delivery of essential supplies, equipment, and rescue services. Later, it will support relief efforts in Miami and carry extra baggage and cargo for passengers traveling on Alia, Viceroy, or other UrbanLink aircraft.
In addition to Signature, UrbanLink last year announced it is working with vertiport operator Skyway to build a Central and South Florida network, with hubs in Miami and Orlando, in time for a commercial launch in late 2026.
More recently, it extended its partnership with Vertiports by Atlantic Aviation, the vertiport subsidiary of the FBO network, that gives it access to Atlantic’s terminals in Florida, as well as planned vertiports in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. In July, it said all-electric operations would launch in Florida in the second half of 2027.
