Singapore, 15 February 2022 – Seletar Aerospace Park, Singapore’s centrepiece for the aerospace sector has been identified as a future Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) hub with an enabling ecosystem for the industry. Today, JTC, the masterplanner for Seletar Aerospace Park, and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) announced the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with Skyports and Volocopter to explore ways the aerospace park can support the growth of the emerging AAM sector in Singapore.
The MOU with Skyports will draw on the vertiport developer’s experience of building take-off and landing infrastructure for air taxis, to explore ideas for the future development of Seletar Aerospace Park. This includes facilities like an air taxi vertiport terminal, airside facilities and hangarage, as well as facilities to support research and development (R&D) and pilot training.
The MOU with urban air mobility pioneer Volocopter will study the feasibility of developing facilities and resources in Seletar Aerospace Park to carry out manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
With the AAM industry set to take off amid accelerating technological breakthroughs, Singapore is pushing ahead to grow the industry locally. Over the past three years, Singapore has been facilitating aviation innovation for the AAM industry by supporting trials for autonomous drones and eVTOLs. In 2019, Skyports and Volocopter showcased the first full-scale passenger air taxi vertiport prototype in Singapore, with a view to creating a network of vertiports and an initial commercial air taxi service in the city state by 2024.
About Seletar Aerospace Park
Developed by JTC, the 320-hectare Seletar Aerospace Park supports Singapore’s vision to become a global aviation hub. Seletar Aerospace Park is home to a vibrant aerospace industry cluster of over 60 multi-national companies (MNCs) and local aerospace enterprises, a thriving community of 6,000 professionals, as well as a myriad of aerospace business activities. Key activities carried out in the park include:
- Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO);
- Manufacturing and assembly of aircraft engines and components;
- Business and general aviation; and
- Training and R&D activities.
For more information on Seletar Aerospace Park, please visit www.jtc.gov.sg/sap.
About the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), a government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is responsible for strategies that enhance Singapore’s position as a global centre for business, innovation, and talent. We undertake investment promotion and industry development, and work with international businesses, both foreign and local, by providing information, connection to partners and access to government incentives for their investments. Our mission is to create sustainable economic growth, with vibrant business and good job opportunities for Singapore and Singaporeans.
For more information on EDB, please visit www.edb.gov.sg.
About JTC
Since its inception in 1968, JTC has played a strategic role in ensuring Singapore stays innovative and dynamic amid global manufacturing trends.
As a government agency under Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, JTC is paving the way forward for Singapore’s industrial landscape with clean, green and smart estate masterplans such as one-north, Seletar Aerospace Park, Jurong Innovation District, and Punggol Digital District. Our estates attract new investment and foster collaborative ecosystems that strengthen Singapore’s position as an advanced manufacturing hub. We also drive innovation in the Built Environment sector by piloting new construction technologies.
For more information on JTC, visit www.jtc.gov.sg.
About Skyports
Skyports is the leading enabler of advanced air mobility (AAM) and provides the critical link between the ground and the sky. The company designs, builds and operates take-off and landing infrastructure for air taxis, and partners with world-class electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger and cargo vehicle manufacturers around the world to enable safe, sustainable and efficient flight operations within urban and suburban environments. Skyports also fly drones as a service which is already proving the viability of the company’s best-in-class unmanned systems technologies within the medical, e-commerce, maritime and logistics sectors.
Based in London, United Kingdom, Skyports has projects operating in multiple continents, including in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, Middle East and North America. Skyports investors include Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures, Groupe ADP, Irelandia Aviation and Levitate Capital.
Find out more at: www.skyports.net
About Volocopter
Volocopter brings urban air mobility (UAM) to megacities worldwide. We aim to improve the quality of life for people in cities by offering a fantastic new mode of transportation. To this end, we create sustainable and scalable UAM ecosystems with partners in infrastructure and operations.
Volocopter’s family of eVTOL aircraft will offer passengers (VoloCity and VoloConnect) and goods (VoloDrone) swift, secure, and emission-free connections to their destinations, supported by VoloIQ, the UAM ecosystem’s software platform that serves as its digital backbone for safe and efficient operations.
As a pioneer in the UAM industry, Volocopter will launch commercial services within the next few years. Founded in 2011, the company employs more than 500 people in Germany and Singapore, has completed over 1,000 successful public and private test flights, and raised €322 million in equity from investors, including Mercedes-Benz Group, Geely, DB Schenker, BlackRock, and Intel Capital. www.volocopter.com
