KUALA LUMPUR (July 28): Advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure developer Skyports Infrastructure and AirAsia’s Advanced Air Mobility, a dedicated unit of AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd, have inked a letter of intent to explore the development of air taxi infrastructure in Malaysia.

In a statement on Thursday (July 28), AirAsia Aviation said the partnership will draw on the group’s aviation expertise and experience, as well as its on-ground market knowledge and networks.

AirAsia Aviation is the aviation arm of Capital A Bhd.

Meanwhile, Skyports Infrastructure brings to the table its global portfolio of designing and building take-off and landing infrastructure for eVTOL passenger aircraft, it said. 

“Following the announcement of our venture into the urban air taxi service earlier this year, we have been working around the clock to explore its feasibility in Malaysia. 

“This partnership with Skyports will accelerate the review of the infrastructure, including vertical take-off and landing platforms in the country, as well as strengthen our potential as a zero-emissions ultra-short-haul air travel provider in Southeast Asia. 

“AirAsia has revolutionised commercial air travel for the past two decades, and we look forward to working with Skyports, which will put us ahead of the curve, and shape the future of autonomous aviation in the region,” according to Captain Ling Liong Tien, AirAsia Aviation's chief safety officer and the head of Advanced Air Mobility.

Meanwhile, Skyports Infrastructure head of Asia-Pacific Yun-Yuan Tay said the partnership highlights the steady progress of AAM development and interest in Malaysia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

“We are excited to be partnering with AirAsia, a powerhouse airline operator that brings great synergy to our work at Skyports.

“With innovative and forward-looking partners like AirAsia, we will be able to take concrete steps towards the realisation of a safe, efficient and fully-integrated air taxi network, which brings real benefits to the people and communities it serves,” he added. 

Skyports Infrastructure has a portfolio of projects across major cities, including Paris, London and Los Angeles. 

Within the Asia-Pacific region, the company has made progress, with ongoing partnerships to assess and develop AAM infrastructure in neighbouring Singapore and Japan.