Supernal LLC, Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced air mobility (AAM) company – has entered into a strategic partnership with Korean Air to help accelerate the design of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and the development of the AAM ecosystem in South Korea. The collaboration adds to a growing list of Supernal partnerships that are advancing its mission to make AAM an efficient and reliable option for everyday transportation needs.
The companies will engage in a variety of activities as part of the partnership, including exchanging technical data and jointly participating in workshops and programmes to help develop an AAM ecosystem that will support safe eVTOL operations. As part of the agreement, Korean Air will provide insights about South Korean-market requirements and AAM aircraft specifications, informing Supernal’s product and market development strategies. The companies will also explore ways to effectively test the operation of Supernal’s eVTOL vehicle and AAM infrastructure networks.
The ways in which South Korea plans to operate AAM in the country highlight the importance of this partnership. Unique to South Korea, the South-Korean government plans to utilize 5G and LTE mobile communication capabilities to enable the seamless flow of information and communication by pilots. The government also plans to create dedicated AAM operating corridors separate from helicopters and other low-level airspace users. These corridors will be customised for safe and efficient flights between vertiports, maximizing the efficiency of AAM routes and minimizing any interaction between eVTOL and other aircraft types.
As South Korea’s largest airline, Korean Air has been a key player in developing the country’s aviation industry and is expected to do the same for AAM, including by providing input to Supernal on passenger experience and operations.
Elements that Supernal plans to develop as part of a global AAM ecosystem include aftermarket products and services, interconnected mobility solutions, physical and digital infrastructure networks and solutions for establishing and expanding an industry workforce. The company is focused on building a robust AAM ecosystem that will enable the industry to reach expected demand in the coming decades, with a goal to integrate eVTOL vehicles into existing transportation networks.
