Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Overair – a developer of advanced electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft – have announced a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperatively explore the future of vertiport development and eVTOL aircraft operations within the DFW Metroplex. The partnership will include a feasibility assessment for integrating passenger eVTOL operations across the North Texas region.
“DFW Airport has a long history of building the groundwork today for the airport needs of the future,” said Paul Puopolo, EVP Innovation, DFW Airport. “By exploring the future of aviation now, we will help better position the entire DFW Metroplex for the next era of innovative air mobility.”
The agreement will create a joint, cross-functional working group to explore the policies and infrastructure needed to implement an integrated, sustainable eVTOL programme at DFW in the future. The working group will also investigate the operational procedures, including approach, landing, taxiing, charging, loading and unloading passengers, takeoff, departure, and safety protocols required for such a programme.
Overair will also lead an assessment of the demand for all-electric Advanced Air Mobility services within the DFW Metroplex and evaluate scenarios for flight operations in and out of vertiport locations.
“Today’s agreement is a major step toward bringing Advanced Air Mobility to one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas,” said Valerie Manning, CCO, Overair. “We look forward to working closely with DFW to ensure the more than eight million people living throughout this region, along with the millions of visitors per year, will have easy access to safe, fast, affordable, and eco-friendly travel options.”
