UrbanV Announces São Paulo Vertiport Network Partnership

Advanced air mobility infrastructure group UrbanV has launched an alliance with local Brazilian partners to develop a network of an initial five vertiports to support eVTOL air taxi services in the São Paulo area. The Italian company announced the agreement with PAX Aeroportos, Helicenter/Ponte Aérea, and GL Events today at the LABACE business aviation show at São Paulo Campo de Marte Airport (SBMT). 

According to UrbanV, the planned vertiport sites will be at SBMT, Alphaville Heliport (SJIW), World Trade Center Hotel Sheraton Heliport (SDWT), the São Paulo Expo, and Santos Convention Center. The Rome-based group said it has support from local authorities in the São Paulo area and from electric energy supplier ENGIE, which will help with installation of charging equipment for the electric aircraft.

At LABACE, UrbanV infrastructure design specialist Leonardo Gafforio told AIN that energy supply infrastructure is the hardest challenge in establishing the vertiports since this will require constructing new substations. Business development manager Ermanno Forastiere said development costs for the facilities will vary on a site-by-site basis and that it is also considering sites as the Alphaville suburb, the port of Santos, and the Sheraton Hotel in São Paulo.

“For urban mobility, São Paulo is the leading global market,” Forastiere said. “With the world’s largest helicopter fleet, the market is already here.”

UrbanV is also interested in supporting commercial drone operations and is in the process of establishing an office in Brazil to support its work with agencies, including aviation regulators ANAC and SAC, and air traffic management provider DECEA. The company already has other eVTOL ground support partnerships underway with companies such as Eve, as well as FBO group Signature Aviation and hybrid-electric aircraft manufacturer Electra.