Orlando International Airport Seeks Vertiport for Electric Aircraft

According to the Florida airport, an item on the agenda of last week’s Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) board meeting covered the intent to file an invitation to negotiate (ITN)—in other words, a request for partners to build and operate the vertiport. GOAA oversees all public airports in Orange County, Florida, including KMCO.

The ITN is expected to come in March, with hopes of getting the site operational by 2028—in line with an FAA blueprint to integrate AAM aircraft at scale.

“Developing a vertiport at Orlando International Airport is a key step in advancing our mission to be the global leader in the evolution of mobility,” said Kevin Thibault, CEO of GOAA, in a news release. “This project directly supports our vision to drive innovation and position Central Florida and the state at the forefront of AAM.”

AAM, as the FAA and other federal agencies define it, comprises aircraft that are typically automated, electric, and have vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability. Vertiports are expected to complement existing aircraft infrastructure, functioning much like heliports but with added features, like electric chargers, to accommodate AAM designs.

Orlando International said it would design the vertiport to accommodate all AAM models the FAA is working to certify, which include electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) aircraft, and others. In a “two-phased” procurement process, it will seek a vertiport developer and operator to establish the site on one of two parcels of undeveloped land.

Last year, eVTOL jet developer Lilium announced it was working with GOAA, the city of Orlando, and other partners to build an AAM hub at the airport. But last week, two days after the GOAA board meeting, the German company said it was shutting down.

It is unclear how large a role Lilium was expected to play in those plans. GOAA did not immediately respond to FLYING’s request for comment.

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