Hyundai’s Supernal Air Taxi Arm Lays Off 296 Staffers

Headcount reduction impacts about 80 percent of the company’s workforce.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, March 03, 2026 at 04:33 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Hyundai’s Supernal has said previously that it aims to introduce its flagship S-A2 electric air taxi by 2028. [Credit: Supernal]

Key Takeaways:

Supernal, Hyundai's electric air taxi unit, laid off 296 employees, representing 80% of its workforce, as part of a "strategic pivot" to optimize staffing and cost structures.
Despite the significant downsizing, Hyundai reaffirms its commitment to advanced air mobility (AAM), stating that Supernal is not shutting down but rather stabilizing and shaping a new business model for its S-A2 aircraft.
The company is left with a "skeleton staff" and consolidating operations, re-evaluating its market focus and timeline, with an industry expert suggesting a potential shift in its AAM efforts from the U.S. back to Korea.

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Supernal, the U.S.-based electric air taxi unit of Korean automaker Hyundai, laid off most of its staff last week in a “strategic pivot,” according to a company spokesperson.

The spokesperson said 296 employees—about 80 percent of the company’s workforce—were let go Friday to “ensure our staffing and cost structures are optimized for the long-term delivery of our market-aligned aircraft design.”