FAA Awards $125 Million to Build Electric Air Taxi Vertiports at 15 Regional Commercial Airports

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced $125 million in competitive grants under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), delivering capital to 15 commercial and general aviation airports to construct dedicated Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vertiport infrastructure.

Preparing Airport Hubs for Commercial Electric Air Taxi Operations

The funding packages provide capital to install heavy-duty megawatt charging pads, passenger security screening gates, and acoustic monitoring sensors to support commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations at airports including Dallas Fort Worth International, Orlando International, Los Angeles International, and regional hubs in Texas, Florida, California, and North Carolina. Commercial eVTOL routes will provide zero-emission passenger shuttle flights between downtown urban centers and international airport terminals in under 15 minutes.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that integrating electric air mobility into the national airspace system reduces highway congestion and positions the United States at the forefront of aviation innovation.

Airport Authorities and eVTOL Aerospace Developers Praise

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) commended the FAA vertiport design standards and grant funding for terminal electrification.

Aerospace manufacturers Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation praised the designated airside charging corridors.

Construction Rollout Schedule

Vertiport engineering and electrical substation utility construction will break ground at recipient airports in spring 2027.