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Air Mobility Ecosystem Consortium (AMEC)

The Air Mobility Ecosystem Consortium (AMEC) project formed the third phase of the Government Future of Flight challenge, which ran from 2022 through to 2025.

The Innovate UK funded project consortium involved: AtkinsRealis, Skyports Instructure Ltd, NATS, Cranfield University, Heathrow Airport, London City Airport, Bristol Airport, University of Warwick, Vertical Aerospace and Connected Place Catapult.

The aim of the AMEC project was to demonstrate the commercial and operational viability of Advance Aerial Mobility (AAM) in the UK. This is an efficient, electric model of aerial transport complementary to existing transport infrastructure, helping to deliver both increased connectivity and net zero emission targets.

AMEC will demonstrate the first-of-kind air mobility services using Vertical Aerospace’s emission-free VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft, later in 2025. The mission will take place between Kemble Airport and Bicester Vertiport.

This mission will explore and prove all aspects of the passenger journey, vehicle operation, airspace navigation, security provision, advanced air traffic management with UAS Traffic Management (UTM) and local stakeholder management.

  • Vertical Aerospace is exploring novel means of compliance with civil aviation regulators as it prepares an airworthy vehicle for demonstration.
  • Skyports Infrastructure has built a “living lab” vertiport at Bicester to allow UK AAM stakeholders to trial technologies and operational concepts, facilitating commercial operations.
  • NATS and Atkins are deploying novel digital infrastructure to modernise airspace and ensure compliance with national aviation safety regulations and border security.
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