Hyundai eVTOL Unit Supernal Cuts Majority of Workforce

Hyundai’s urban air mobility subsidiary Supernal laid off 296 employees, or approximately 80% of its staff, last week as the Korean automaker struggles to keep its eVTOL aircraft development program afloat. However, a company spokesperson told AIN that Supernal “is not shutting down.” 

These latest layoffs, announced on February 27, followed another round of layoffs last July that eliminated 52 positions. At the time, Supernal attributed the decision to an “organizational realignment from the technology development phase to the product development phase of our business.”

The California-based company’s spokesperson echoed that sentiment this week, telling AIN, “Supernal’s immediate focus will not be impacted by this decision and remains on stabilizing the company, shaping a new business model, and developing a commercially viable aircraft.” 

“This decision is a strategic pivot to ensure our staffing and cost structures are optimized for the long-term delivery of our market-aligned aircraft design. Hyundai Motor Group remains committed to the advanced air mobility business as part of its future mobility vision, and Supernal will continue to serve as the Group’s dedicated AAM execution arm for aircraft development,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. 

Supernal achieved its first flights with a full-scale demonstrator one year ago, on March 1, 2025, but it has yet to begin flight-testing a production-representative prototype for the planned four-passenger S-A2 model. The company has previously stated that it was targeting 2028 for type certification and entry into commercial service. 

In August, Hyundai Motor Group announced that Jaiwon Shin was stepping down from his position as CEO of Supernal and head of Hyundai’s advanced air mobility division and moving into an advisory role. It has not yet appointed Shin’s replacement; David Rottblatt, senior director of business development, has been serving as interim chief operating officer in the meantime.