upernal, Hyundai Motor’s urban air mobility unit, announced on Tuesday two key partnerships to advance the development of its air taxi infrastructure. The agreements, one with private jet charter firm Clay Lacy and another with passenger helicopter operator Blade Urban Air Mobility, are intended to support the launch of Supernal’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in 2028.
Supernal’s five-seat, battery-powered eVTOL is designed for short intra-city passenger journeys, offering a way to bypass urban traffic congestion. The eVTOL concept, heralded as the future of urban air mobility, has attracted significant global interest, though it faces challenges related to regulatory approval, battery performance, and public safety perceptions.
As part of its first agreement, Supernal will collaborate with Clay Lacy to prepare the company’s fixed base operator (FBO) locations for take-off and landing operations. “This partnership marks Supernal’s first FBO agreement,” the company noted.
In a separate deal, Supernal and Blade Urban Air Mobility will explore advanced air mobility network operations. The three-year partnership will see Blade and its operator partners provide feedback on Supernal’s aircraft design and safety protocols, focusing on potential operating markets.