When referring back to the main use-case clusters of Figure 2, the key enablers that unlock passenger transport are different from those that unlock cargo transport and other services. Hence, a split between passenger- and non-passenger use cases seems pertinent when highlighting the enablers of the different use cases. The community has identified the following top enablers for passenger use cases: –Perceived safety and security. Ensuring high levels of safety and increased cybersecurity precautions will enhance public confidence in new AAM systems. Perceived safety will be as relevant as actual safety, highlighting the importance of public acceptance and the need to consider design and user experience implications in AAM development. –Ground infrastructure. Time savings will be a key value offered for passengers in AAM operations. Ground infrastructure should ensure seamless integration of AAM into the wider transport network as well as incorporate time- saving technologies such as biometrics and automated baggage handling systems. Ground infrastructure will be a key component in the customer experience, and, as a result, in AAM success for passenger use cases. –Airspace integration alongside digital infrastructure. Both are crucial for scaling operations and for ensuring safety in busy environments such as cities, which are among the first locations where passenger AAM use cases are expected to take off. Operating over busy cities will require multiple obstacle clearances and the handing of restricted areas and microclimates. Regulators and public authorities will need to advance the work on developing new processes and systems (e.g. unmanned traffic management) to enable autonomous operations over the medium to long term. The top enablers identified for non-passenger use cases are: –Unit economics. Wider AAM adoption is enabled through expected efficiency gains over alternative modes. Superior unit economics will however only be achieved if scaling is possible. –Airspace integration and digital infrastructure. Like for passenger use cases, this aspect remains a key enabler. Unlike for passenger use cases, this driver is important due to the high volume of operations that is expected for non-passenger use cases. High-volume operations will increase complexity for verbal communication, requiring new processes that are most likely to be automated. Otherwise, long-term sector development will be hindered. –Positive environmental impact. This impact will result from lower CO2 emissions compared to existing alternatives as well as less noise pollution, especially compared to helicopters. Both these benefits can facilitate public acceptance and provide environmental gains, in line with the evolution of international regulations and the environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies of companies. The need for more advanced digital and physical infrastructure for AAM BOX 2 Seamless AAM operations count on having the required digital and physical infrastructure in place. While industry discussions are often focused on aircraft certification, the surrounding ecosystem should not be overlooked. Digital infrastructure, which includes sophisticated communication systems, and physical infrastructure such as strategically located landing sites, are both critical. Currently, the physical and digital infrastructure is not adequate to meet the full operational demands of AAM. The key aspects to consider in creating the appropriate infrastructure are as follows. The key physical infrastructure will be vertiports. Vertiports will have three key functions: landing and taking-off, charging, and connecting people and cargo to road, rail and/or sea transport infrastructure. The key stakeholders involved will be different. Hence, it is relevant to differentiate these functions: –Landing and taking off: Landing site locations must be chosen with a focus on safety (e.g. considering location microweather and obstacle limitation surfaces) and be located to provide extensive coverage. Local planners and real estate developers will become important stakeholders since building and aviation standards will need to align to ensure successful vertiport developments. The local community is another important stakeholder that should be included at the start of the deployments since public acceptance will be a pre-requisite for successful implementation. –Recharging or refuelling: Charging stations should ensure seamless operations, since AAM vehicles are mostly electric. Charging stations rely on grid connection, sufficient capacity and high charging quality – making energy players key stakeholders. Ideally, vertiports offer more than just electric charging points and are also equipped to accommodate alternative energy options such as hydrogen and biofuel, or battery swapping infrastructure. Thus, vertiports become energy hubs. Advanced Air Mobility: Shaping the Future of Aviation 11

Advanced Air Mobility 2024