The future of urban mobility is being built… literally!
While many still wonder when we'll see the first electric air taxis take flight, companies in the United States are already reserving physical spaces (on rooftops, in parking lots, and in areas near airports) to prepare for their arrival.
The idea is clear: whoever controls the takeoff and landing points will have a huge strategic advantage when the new era of eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) vehicles begins.
The fastest companies are already moving. One of the most active companies in this new market is Vertiports, with operations focused on California, especially in the Los Angeles area.
This city, famous for its endless traffic jams, is emerging as one of the first ideal locations to test urban air mobility.
While aircraft developers like Joby Aviation, Archer, and others are fine-tuning their prototypes, other companies are betting on the ground: seeking out and securing strategic locations from which air taxis will operate. Rooftops, elevated parking garages, or spaces near airports are becoming the new real estate gold in the tech sector.
In this initial phase, airports are the first logical destinations for eVTOL flights. A trip between downtown Los Angeles and LAX International Airport can take an hour or more by road. With an electric air taxi, that same journey could be completed in 10 or 12 minutes, traffic-free, stress-free, and with zero emissions.
It's not hard to imagine the scene: executives, tourists, or frequent travelers booking their urban flight from a rooftop terrace or a nearby "vertiport," connecting directly to their commercial flight.
It's a risky bet, but with foresight. The curious thing is that, to date, there are no operating permits for commercial eVTOL flights in the United States. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is still working on regulations, and although the first pilot services are expected to begin between 2026 and 2027, nothing is completely guaranteed.
Even so, the companies securing locations are doing so with a mix of vision, faith, and legal strategy. I assume the contracts will be flexible, allowing deadlines to be adjusted or agreements to be canceled if permits are delayed. But the message is clear: whoever gets there first will control the most valuable space of the future.
This isn't just about aviation, it's about infrastructure. In the new air mobility ecosystem, simply manufacturing electric taxis won't be enough: a network of landing, charging, and urban air traffic management points will be required.
And that network is already beginning to be drawn up on the maps of major American cities.
Companies such as Skyports, Urban-Air Port, Vertiports, etc., are also designing modular rooftop platforms and parking garages, with integrated electric charging stations and direct connections to ground transportation.
Too soon? Maybe. But in the world of tech business, first movers often win.
Investments that seem risky today can become strategic assets tomorrow. And if certification deadlines are met, the first commercial air taxi operations in the US could be a reality in less than three years.
For now, the rooftops remain empty, but not for long. The urban sky is preparing to fill with new players, and the most visionary companies are already reserving their place in the future.
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