US airport manager and operator Avports has signed a memorandum of understanding with Jaunt Air Mobility to join its Access Skyways infrastructure alliance, to support the integration of eVTOL aircraft with airports and the aviation ecosystem. This partnership builds on Avports' ongoing efforts to protect the environment by transitioning to a carbon-neutral operating environment and introducing this new form of commuting.

CEO Jorge Roberts says: "Climate change is an all important industry challenge. With 95 years of airport management experience, Avports is positioned to be part of the solution. The future of air travel has to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. By collaborating with Jaunt Air Mobility and the Access Skyways Alliance to provide zero-emission vehicle solutions, we act on our community leadership values and ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles. We are dedicated to working towards carbon-free travel on behalf of our customers and the communities we serve."

"Access Skyways is an agreement with organisations with distinct areas of expertise in the planning, design, development and integration of eVTOL aircraft into the existing global transportation system," adds Jaunt CCO Simon Briceno. "As an OEM, we will be working with operators around the globe. We are pleased to partner with Avports as its expertise provides critical elements to making this service a reality."

Airports require extensive use of vehicles and machinery for day-to-day aviation operations and primarily use fossil fuel-based fleets. Thanks to this alliance, Avports and Jaunt will now provide a convenient way for airport owners, authorities and stakeholders to efficiently decrease the complexity of implementing advanced air mobility into their airports. The Access Skyways alliance offers expertise in construction project management; supply/demand and cost analysis; vertiport design; electrification; flight operations; and community engagement.

Avports has operated more than 30 airports, aviation facilities and passenger terminals in the US, including 50 years providing airport management services in New York State.

Jaunt Air Mobility is developing the Journey, an eVTOL using slow-rotor compound technology, which fuses the flight capabilities of a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft. It has a range of 80-100 miles and carries a pilot and four passengers.