Airports & Air Taxis: Friends or Enemies?

The aviation industry is at a crossroads. While technological advancements are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, the integration of new solutions like air taxis into existing airport operations remains a topic of debate. Some airports view Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) as an exciting opportunity, while others hesitate, concerned about the impact on their current operations, capacity constraints, and relationships with long-standing airline partners.

The Core Concern: Disrupting Established Operations

Airports are finely tuned ecosystems where every aspect—runway usage, taxiway movements, gate availability, passenger flow, and air traffic control—is carefully managed to avoid congestion and inefficiencies. Introducing air taxis into this environment raises logistical concerns:

• Competition for Airspace: Airports already face complex airspace management issues, coordinating with airlines, general aviation, and military operations. Adding air taxis, which operate at lower altitudes and require vertiport infrastructure, introduces new challenges in air traffic control and safety.

• Ground Operations & Infrastructure: Most airports operate at or near capacity, with limited space for additional infrastructure. Allocating prime real estate to vertiports or designated take-off/landing zones for air taxis may not seem justifiable when traditional aviation still dominates demand.

• Risk of Operational Disruptions: The fear of delays or conflicts in ground operations, especially at hubs where turnaround times are tightly scheduled, makes airports cautious. Airports must assess whether integrating air taxis will optimize or disrupt their current efficiency metrics.

  
  

Loyalty to Long-Term Airline Partners

Airports rely heavily on their partnerships with airlines, particularly legacy carriers and hub operators that drive passenger volume. Airlines, in turn, depend on airports to provide the best possible environment for their operations. The introduction of air taxis raises a few sensitive questions:

• Will airlines perceive air taxis as competition? While air taxis are unlikely to replace traditional commercial flights, they could threaten short-haul airline routes or premium-class services. Some airlines may see them as a direct competitor rather than a complementary service.

• Will premium passengers shift to air taxis? Airlines invest heavily in first-class lounges, priority services, and business-class experiences. If high-value passengers opt for air taxis instead of premium ground transportation or connecting flights, airlines might push back against airport initiatives supporting AAM.

• Who gets priority access? Airports may struggle to balance their commitments to airlines with the potential benefits of air taxi services, especially if prioritizing AAM means reducing gate availability or changing operational structures.

Capacity Challenges vs. Feeder Potential

Many major airports are operating at near or full capacity. Expanding terminals, adding new runways, or increasing flight frequencies is a complex, long-term process. In this environment, air taxis may seem like a luxury rather than a necessity.

However, in some cases, air taxis could be a solution rather than a burden:

• A Seamless Feeder System: Air taxis are not meant to compete with airlines; they are designed to complement them. Once a passenger lands at an airport, an air taxi can offer a direct, time-saving connection to their final destination—whether it’s a business district, hotel, or another transportation hub. This model could ease congestion by reducing the demand for short-haul connecting flights, decongesting terminals, and improving passenger experience.

• Addressing Urban Access Issues: Some major airports are located far from city centres. Air taxis could serve as an efficient way to bridge this distance, making it easier for passengers to reach their final destinations without relying on crowded trains, buses, or expensive car services.

• A Premium Service with Limited Impact: For now, air taxis primarily cater to business travellers, VIPs, and high-net-worth individuals. Their relatively low passenger volume means they won’t significantly impact overall airport capacity but could generate additional revenue streams through premium services and partnerships.

• A Shift in Perception: From Threat to Opportunity: Airports that take a strategic approach can turn what might initially seem like a threat into an opportunity. Rather than viewing air taxis as competition, they could be seen as a complementary service that eases airport congestion, enhances passenger experience, and brings in new revenue.

Potential Tension with Other Modes of Transportation

One key aspect that has yet to be fully explored is how air taxi operations could affect other modes of transportation, such as trains, buses, or metro systems, which often serve as the primary link between airports and city centres. If air taxis are positioned as a premium service, it could make them appealing to high-value travellers, potentially diverting them from train or bus services.

For example, some airports might have to consider whether air taxis could complement or compete with their existing transport options. In major cities, train services often provide an efficient means of reaching the airport, but air taxis could offer a faster and more exclusive option. The key here is to explore whether air taxis can coexist harmoniously with other public transport or if they risk disrupting these established services.

Before public acceptance of air taxis can be fully realized, there may need to be efforts to align different transportation sectors and ensure they complement each other. This could involve educating the public, working with transportation providers, and ensuring that air taxis don't simply compete but add value to the overall transportation ecosystem.

Conclusion: Disruption or Harmony?

While many airports remain cautious, some forward-thinking hubs are already preparing for the integration of air taxis. Major players like Groupe ADP, Aeroporti di Roma, and others are investing in vertiports and regulatory planning, recognizing that AAM is not just a trend but an inevitable part of future mobility.

For airports still on the fence, the key question is not whether air taxis will arrive, but how they can be integrated without disrupting existing operations. The airports that start strategizing today will have a competitive edge in offering future-forward mobility solutions, strengthening their role as key transportation hubs rather than just terminals for traditional aviation.

Ultimately, air taxis could become a strategic addition to airports, enhancing passenger convenience and providing an innovative complement to existing transport services. However, all parties in aviation have a responsibility to determine whether air taxis can operate at airports. Some airports approach the subject with a simple, "We've looked into it, we don't have the capacity or budget, therefore, we're not interested." However, for those developing air taxi solutions, which could truly help passengers in the near future, it is important to hear from both sides—those in favour and those who are more cautious. A solution cannot be brought forward before the problem is discussed, and those in favour should listen to the concerns of those who are hesitant, understanding the "why" behind their caution and providing an innovative complement to existing transport services.