Major airports across the United States are investing in new infrastructure to safely incorporate electric air taxis, autonomous drones and other advanced air mobility aircraft into daily operations. This modernization effort addresses both physical landing sites and supporting systems for energy supply and traffic management.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has emerged as an early leader, initiating procurement for vertiport developers last year and identifying potential sites at Orlando International Airport on the east airfield and near the intermodal train station. Officials completed detailed human-in-the-loop simulations with the FAA in 2025, with results published in early 2026 showing that air traffic controllers could handle eVTOL movements at rates around 10 operations per hour at certain locations without excessive workload when integrated with existing traffic flows. The authority aims to have initial vertiport capability ready by 2028.
Federal guidance has provided a clearer roadmap. In December 2024, the FAA issued Engineering Brief 105A, which supplements existing heliport design standards and treats vertiports as facilities for aircraft with three or more propulsors. The brief defines geometry for touchdown and liftoff areas, final approach and takeoff zones, and safety perimeters based on rotor diameter rather than fuselage size. It also incorporates considerations for powerful downwash winds that can exceed 60 mph at distance and outlines requirements for electrical infrastructure capable of supporting rapid charging.
Industry developers are moving in parallel. Archer Aviation secured the long-term lease for Hawthorne Municipal Airport near Los Angeles in late 2025, positioning the site as the central hub for its Midnight air taxi network in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Fixed-base operators have expanded their role, with Signature Aviation forming a joint venture with UrbanV to create a nationwide vertiport network beginning in key states including Florida, New York, California and Texas. Atlantic Aviation established a dedicated subsidiary focused on vertiport construction, while manufacturers such as Beta Technologies have activated dozens of charging stations compatible with commercial operations.
Energy supply and digital integration remain critical hurdles. Vertiport operators anticipate peak demands of several hundred kilowatts per aircraft to support quick-turnaround flights. At the same time, uncrewed traffic management platforms are being tested to complement traditional air traffic control. North Dakota's Vantis network, supported by Thales, recently became the first non-federal system to integrate unfiltered FAA radar data, allowing safer beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone operations alongside manned traffic.
The FAA's newly launched eVTOL Integration Pilot Program marks a significant step forward. Eight projects spanning 26 states, including Florida initiatives tied to Orlando, were selected in March 2026. These public-private partnerships will conduct expanded operations this summer, gathering real-world performance data on procedures, infrastructure and airspace coordination to inform future regulations. Early operations are expected to leverage existing heliport-like facilities before dedicated vertiports scale up.
Stakeholders emphasize that success depends on balancing operator economics, passenger experience and seamless integration with legacy aviation. As simulations transition to live trials, the groundwork laid today is intended to future-proof airports for a new era of urban and regional air mobility while maintaining rigorous safety standards.