Owner and operator of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the Royal Schiphol Group, has announced that it has joined forces with 13 other companies, including KLM and Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), to realize the full potential of drones and urban air mobility (UAM).
Together the companies have established the Dutch Drone Delta, an alliance set up to develop smart, sustainable UAM solutions, which will launch on January 1, 2020.
The Royal Schiphol Group will be working with various partners to look at innovative solutions for the development of UAM – passenger transportation using air taxis with vertical take-off and landing capabilities.
UAM solutions will have to be safely integrated into both air and ground operations. In the first year of the Dutch Drone Delta project a study will be conducted to assess relevant requirements and potential infrastructure locations. An assessment will also be conducted to determine how UAM will impact the living environment.
“We feel it’s important to participate in any promising mobility-related developments. That’s why we’re currently working with our partners to explore the future. We want to determine Urban Air Mobilty’s potential in terms of improving airport accessibility,” said Henk Jan Gerzee, chief digital and innovation officer at Royal Schiphol Group.