Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports), a company dedicated to vertiport infrastructure for the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry, has entered a partnership with Jeju Air, Korea's low-cost airline, to support the deployment of vertiports for air taxi operations in Korea.

The agreement, formalised during a signing ceremony at Gimpo City, Korea will bring together Skyports and Jeju Air's complementary aviation operator and infrastructure expertise to facilitate vertiport network development in Korea. The partners will engage with key government, regulatory and industry stakeholders to identify requirements, opportunities and challenges associated with launching vertiport infrastructure and air taxi operations.

Skyports and Jeju Air will jointly define a network development strategy focused on major metropolitan areas as well as Jeju Island. This will be followed by due diligence exercises for priority sites within each of the networks in preparation for commercial launch.

Skyports and Jeju Air will also explore the commercial case for Korean air taxi services. A key output of the agreement will be the production of an actionable business strategy for the development and operation of AAM infrastructure.

Yun-Yuan Tay, head of Asia Pacific region at Skyports, says: “Korea is an important market for the air mobility industry and a focus for Skyports Infrastructure. Since launching in the country in 2023, we've been working extensively with local partners to explore and develop opportunities for industry growth. Our partnership with Jeju Air brings new expertise and local connections. We're excited to work together to take AAM to the next level in Korea develop concrete plans for implementing air taxi services.”

Jeju Air operates 42 aircraft and flies to 47 different locations throughout Korea. The company aims to provide ‘total air mobility service’ to customers through emerging airline services in conjunction with urban air mobility.

Park Tae-ha, head of Jeju Air's UAM business task force, states: “Through cooperation with Skyports, we will establish business models suitable for the Korean environment and solidify a standardised service system that can be immediately utilised in the commercialisation phase of UAM.”