SITA is partnering with vertiport infrastructure owner and operator Skyports to bring its digital solutions to Skyports vertiport locations.
The partnership is designed to showcase how easily passengers can navigate the advanced air mobility ecosystem from arrival to electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) departure.
To that end, SITA will develop biometric and vertiport technology and integrate its Smart Path solution in line with Skyports’ vision for a seamless, technology-driven passenger experience.
Travelers will be able to book and reserve flights on eVTOL aircraft via a mobile app powered by SITA’s biometric capabilities. Once they arrive at the Skyports vertiport, SITA face pods will identify passengers.
“Advanced air mobility (AAM) has presented an opportunity to reimagine the entire travel experience, from the vehicles we use and energy sources we rely on, right down to the way passengers book and check-in to flights,” says Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports.
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“We are partnering with SITA to move into this next crucial stage in the planning and development of the AAM industry – defining the experience for end-users. Everything we do at Skyports is underpinned by the belief that there is a faster, smarter, more streamlined way to travel. Our work with SITA will demonstrate how that translates to the passenger journey.”
SITA’s technology will first be implemented at the Skyports Cergy-Pontoise vertiport testbed in Paris, which is slated for completion in 2022.
Meanwhile, eVTOL startup Overair has raised $145 million in funding from Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Aerospace.
With the funds, California-based Overair will continue developing its all-electric experimental prototype, called Butterfly, to fly in the second half of 2023.
“We're exactly where we want to be, building a superior aircraft company with class-leading mobility technology around an unrivaled aircraft while rapidly approaching the first flight of a purpose-built prototype next year,” says Ben Tigner, co-founder and CEO of Overair.
"We've proven Butterfly's propulsion system, so we'll now begin validating Butterfly's ability to operate safely in real-world weather conditions, carry significant payloads and fly incredibly quietly."