The future of aviation is taking off—literally. SAFE’s Coalition for Reimagined Mobility (ReMo) has released its latest report, “Beyond Takeoff: Policy Strategies to Build the Infrastructure Future for Advanced Air Mobility,“ offers strategies for policymakers to help drive the development of an interoperable and accessible Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem.
With a projected global market value of $500 billion by 2040 and the potential to create hundreds of thousands of skilled jobs, AAM has the power to transform transportation. However, without strategic public infrastructure investments, regulatory coordination, and flexible and enduring funding mechanisms, AAM risks being dominated by private interests, limiting competition and innovation.
The report outlines three key policy recommendations to ensure the successful development and integration of AAM infrastructure:
- Establishing Use, Ownership, and Access of Finite Real Estate: Local governments, under FAA guidance, should safeguard open access requirements for public vertiports to ensure competitive development.
- Prioritize Interoperable Digital Infrastructure: Implement standardized, real-time communications frameworks and cybersecurity protocols to integrate AAM with other transportation modes.
- Initiate Enduring Funding & Investment Mechanisms: The creation of a National AAM Infrastructure Fund, alongside tax incentives and public-private partnerships, is essential to accelerate vertiport development and AAM adoption.
This report also highlights the global competition in AAM infrastructure, noting that China’s aggressive state-led investments and regulatory advancements place the U.S. at risk of falling behind. Without a coordinated national strategy, the U.S. could lose its leadership position in this transformative sector.
Further, Beyond Takeoff also builds on insights from existing transportation sectors, such as ground mobility and aviation, to provide a framework for the efficient and long-term development of AAM infrastructure. By implementing these policy recommendations, the U.S. can foster an innovative and resilient AAM ecosystem that benefits communities, businesses, and the broader economy.
