Vertiport

A vertiport is a facility designed for takeoff, hover, and landing of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, particularly electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft used in urban air mobility. It provides the infrastructure to support passenger and cargo operations, including integration with ground transport, while coordinating with local airspace authorities.

Typical components include multiple landing pads or platforms, a terminal or processing area for passengers, baggage handling and security screening, a shelter, lounges, and connections to ground transportation. Supporting systems may include charging stations or battery-swapping facilities for electric aircraft, hangars for maintenance, weather services, navigation and lighting, and interfaces with airspace management or remote air traffic control links.

Operations and use cases: Vertiports are intended to enable short-distance, point-to-point trips within or between urban areas, support emergency medical services, business travel, and cargo deliveries. Operations require coordination with air traffic management, weather monitoring, vehicle scheduling, and energy management.

Regulation and safety: Vertiports fall under aviation safety regimes and must comply with standards for heliports and airports as well as evolving regulations specific to eVTOL and automated operations. Certification of aircraft and infrastructure, security, noise controls, and emergency procedures are considered in planning.

History and outlook: The concept gained prominence with the development of urban air mobility in the 2010s and 2020s. Demonstration projects and pilots have been proposed in several cities, with plans for networks linking airports, business districts, and residential areas. Widespread deployment depends on advances in technology, regulatory approval, and public acceptance. Future vertiports may be located at airports, in city centers, or near transit hubs, supporting high-frequency operations and multimodal integration.

See also urban air mobility, heliport, droneport.