Airbus and Munich Airport International Expand Partnership to Develop Advanced Air Mobility Solutions Globally

Airbus and Munich Airport International sign a memorandum of understanding at ILA Berlin Air Show to start marketing turnkey solutions to cities and regions interested in developing advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystems globally.

Airbus is developing CityAirbus NextGen, its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, along with key support and service offerings around it, while Munich Airport is offering ground infrastructure services and solutions.

“Munich Airport International is already collaborating with Airbus on the Air Mobility Initiative recently launched in Munich,” says Ivonne Kuger, executive VP of Corporate Development, MAI. "Now we are expanding that partnership globally to support select cities and regions around the world. As Europe’s first five-star airport, Munich Airport has always been at the forefront of innovation, and it is crucial for airports to be actively involved in developing and paving the way for this new form of transport.”

“The development of the market, industry and the ultimate service of AAM requires a holistic view, and this has been our approach from the beginning," says Balkiz Sarihan, head of UAM Partnerships and Strategy Execution, Airbus. “In addition to our decades of vehicle and technology development, certification and support, we are actively building working ecosystems with our partners. We are sure that our partnership with Munich Airport will be a key catalyst for accelerating the development of the AAM ecosystems worldwide.”

The successful integration of the different AAM elements requires a strong cooperation between global and local stakeholders combining key competencies. The objective is to create completely new ecosystems that ensure a safe and seamless integration of eVTOL solutions with other means of mobility, bringing added value to cities and communities.

Airbus has been one of the pioneers in exploring how electric propulsion can help drive the development of new kinds of aerial vehicles. In September 2021, the company unveiled its fully electric eVTOL prototype, CityAirbus NextGen. Airbus is developing an AAM solution with eVTOLs not only to offer a new mobility service but also as an important step in its quest to reduce emissions in aviation across its product range. The company recently announced the launch of the Air Mobility Initiative, a consortium of partners dedicated to the advancement of AAM in Bavaria and Germany.