UrbanV and Cluster2 sign a partnership to boost AAM in Saudi Arabia

UrbanV, an Italian operator of vertiport networks, and Cluster2, an airport operator that manages 22 airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have signed a partnership to develop Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in Saudi Arabia. Rome, November 12, 2024 – The two companies, leaders in their respective sectors, will collaborate to support and develop the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem within the Cluster2 airport network, in view of commercial flights in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, they will conduct in-depth feasibility studies to implement AAM solutions at the airports managed by Cluster2 Airports, in compliance with the regulations of the General Authority of Civil Aviation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, safety standards, and environmental sustainability goals. The partnership also envisages UrbanV transferring its AAM expertise, in addition to providing training programs and technical knowledge and collaborating with stakeholders. In the initial phase, the companies will launch pilot programs for the introduction of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft services for targeted applications, including medical emergencies, VIP transport, and cargo logistics. These programs will serve as feasibility tests to evaluate the operational integration of AAM in real situations. Both companies have subscribed to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and its broader sustainability goals, including the use of zero-emission eVTOL vehicles and the design of eco-sustainable vertiports. Carlo Tursi, CEO of UrbanV, said: "At UrbanV, our goal is to improve people's lives by offering a fast, efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly alternative to existing transport solutions for the short-haul air transport of cargo and people. We aspire to become a major global operator of vertiport networks and will be global pioneers in defining the first Advanced Air Mobility routes worldwide. We are excited to partner with Cluster2, one of the leading players in the airport management sector, and look forward to exploring with them the great potential of Advanced Air Mobility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." The CEO of Cluster2 Airports, Eng. Ali Masrahi, said: "We are pleased to sign this partnership, since it is through partnerships of this kind that we aim to manifest our presence and take on a leadership role in finding AAM solutions. Furthermore, we want to create an integrated ecosystem for our various airports in the Kingdom, while at the same time highlighting that all our airport facilities are committed to environmental sustainability. I would also like to stress that Cluster2 Airports seeks to achieve its strategic goals by increasing annual passenger volumes, offering connections between the three continents (Asia, Europe, Africa) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, meeting the needs of its affiliated airports in terms of passengers, and increasing the number of international airlines using the Kingdom's domestic airports."