Flying Humankind to New Heights
MWC Stage B, Hall 6 Monday 26 Feb 2.50pm – 4.00pm
Damian Kysely
Head of Infrastructure, EMEA,
Skyports
Question:
How is the aviation industry transforming with technology?
Answer:
The aviation industry is undergoing a significant transformation fuelled by technological advancements. From aircraft design to digitalisation and connectivity, technology is reshaping the way we think about air transportation. Advancements in battery technology and propulsion means it is now possible to power aircraft electrically for regional and short-haul flights. Similarly, developments in vertical lift capabilities and lower noise profiles are unlocking the potential for urban air mobility.
This is coupled with aviation infrastructure advancements. Much of what we’re doing as a vertiport developer means turning traditional aviation practices and approaches on their head. With each iteration, each new development, we in the industry are looking for more efficient, faster, better ways of doing things, and that’s all thanks to new technologies.
Question:
What role is Skyports Infrastructure playing in fuelling momentum for urban air transport?
Answer:
Skyports is playing a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of urban air transport by building critical infrastructure to enable air taxi services. Without this infrastructure, there is no industry, there is no place for air taxis to take off or passengers to board. We’re working on some of the most renowned advanced air mobility projects around the globe, demonstrating the significance of vertiport infrastructure for the industry.
Question:
What is the potential for drones, flying cars and supersonic aircrafts to make a meaningful impact to the world we live in today?
Answer:
Drones have a multitude of applications, including package delivery, infrastructure inspection and emergency response, offering efficiency and accessibility. Our sister company, Skyports Drone Services, operates drones daily for a variety of use cases, including medical logistics, rural and offshore deliveries – to isolated communities, oil rigs and large vessels – and environmental inspections and surveys.
Air taxi operations will cut journey times significantly and promote intermodal transport through integration with a city’s existing public transport network. The services also have several key use cases beyond commercial passenger transport. These include emergency response and cargo transportation.
Question:
What are the challenges of transforming the air mobility industry and how can they be overcome?
Answer:
Several challenges must be addressed to facilitate the widespread adoption of air taxi services. Regulatory hurdles, including safety standards and airspace management, pose significant obstacles to the integration of electric vehicle take-off and landing aircraft and drones into existing aviation systems.
Public acceptance is another significant challenge. There is work to be done to demonstrate to future passengers that these services are safe and that they will bring benefits to communities and the individuals within them. From the infrastructure perspective, a key challenge is ensuring that the infrastructure and the aircraft scale simultaneously.