Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is shifting from a long-term aspiration to a sector on the cusp of early commercial activation.
As aircraft OEMs work toward certification, governments develop regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure partners begin building the first vertiports, 2026 is set to be a pivotal year in shaping the industry’s path forward.
While full-scale commercialization will take longer to materialize, it is thought that the next year will lay the critical operational, technological, and regulatory foundations needed for AAM’s meaningful adoption.
Daniel Sloat, Founder & President of the Advanced Air Mobility Institute, said,
“2026 will not be the year Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) “finally takes off.” No, at the Advanced Air Mobility Institute, our scope includes all hybrid and fully electric aircraft: eCTOL (conventional takeoff); eSTOL (short takeoff); and eVTOL (vertical takeoff). The Pipistrel Velis Electro eCTOL has been type certified by EASA since Summer 2020 and received an FAA Light Sport Exemption in 2024. It would not be too surprising if additional eCTOLs like the BETA CX300 earn type certification within the next year or so, I hear BETA had a spectacular showing at the inaugural Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race in October 2025 with a 1st place finish and 2 world records set, FAI pending.
“Among eSTOLs, it appears unlikely that even frontrunner OEMs like Electra Aero will type certify sooner than 2029. Among eVTOLs, the EHang EH-216 received type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) at the tail end of 2023 and has even begun commercial passenger flights. The CAAC has also type certified OEM AutoFlight’s V2000CG CarryAll eVTOL.
“Other Chinese owned OEMs including Aerofugia, Volant, and XPENG are surely close in pursuit. OEMs from other nations will continue making steady progress this year including Canada’s Horizon Cavorite and Australia’s hydrogen-electric AMSL Vertiia eVTOL, which are notably absent from several industry tracker lists. Ultimately, only if by “finally take off” we mean ‘an American eVTOL receives FAA type certification’ could 2026 be the year.“
Regulatory Milestones and Certification
Regulatory progress will continue to be a central driver of AAM’s evolution in 2026. Authorities in the United States, Europe, China, and the Middle East are progressing through advanced phases of aircraft certification, with several manufacturers approaching critical milestones.
Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are among the leading U.S. OEMs expected to make notable progress in type certification with the FAA, potentially positioning themselves for limited commercial passenger routes in partnership with airlines and mobility operators. In Europe, Vertical Aerospace continues its Type Certification activity with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and EASA. Meanwhile, Eve Air Mobility, backed by Embraer, will look to advance its certification programme with a strong emphasis on urban integration and operational modelling.
China’s EHang, already operating under a limited autonomous passenger certification within the region, may expand its certified routes in 2026, providing one of the earliest examples of routine autonomous eVTOL operations worldwide.
UTM and U-Space ecosystems will also become more capable as regulators deploy more automated digital air traffic management tools. These systems are critical for supporting high-density mixed operations involving drones and crewed eVTOLs.
Aircraft Technology and Programme Maturation
Aircraft development continues to accelerate as multiple OEMs move from prototype to production intent. Improvements in battery energy density are enabling longer-range, higher-payload designs, while hybrid-electric propulsion remains an attractive interim solution for operators seeking extended endurance without relying solely on battery technology. Hydrogen-electric propulsion is also gaining momentum, with several programmes targeting demonstration flights and early certification activity next year.
Reliability and maintainability will be a core focus in 2026. Manufacturers are working to validate systems for high-utilisation commercial operations, including rapid charging, thermal management, avionics resilience, and flight-control redundancy. These steps are essential before eVTOL aircraft can transition into routine service.
Several eVTOL developers are expected to enter crucial phases of aircraft production, flight testing, and market preparation during 2026, such as SkyDrive, Eve Air Mobility, Supernal, and AutoFlight.
Advances in autonomy will also become more visible. Although fully autonomous passenger operations remain several years away, supervised autonomy, enhanced pilot-assist technologies, and remote operations centres will be tested more extensively. These capabilities will support improved safety, reduce pilot workload, and begin establishing the regulatory foundations for future pilotless operations.
Infrastructure: Vertiport Development and Energy Systems
AAM readiness is not solely an aircraft challenge, 2026 will also see accelerated development of ground infrastructure.
Skyports Infrastructure is predicted to make meaningful progress on projects in the UK, Dubai, and Singapore. Their modular vertiport architecture is designed for rapid deployment and early commercial operations.
In Europe, UrbanV, looks set to advance vertiport installations across Italy, France, and other parts of the continent. These efforts aim to integrate AAM into existing airport ecosystems and urban mobility frameworks.
In 2026, Australia’s Skyportz is looking to move onto the next phase with its modular vertipad system, Aeroberm. Clem Newton-Brown, Skyportz CEO, said;
“In 2026 we move into the most exciting phase of our patented Aeroberm™ journey. Our first full-scale prototype will be built and installed with test beds, operators and regulatory agencies across several continents, giving the industry hands-on exposure to a vertipad solution designed specifically for downwash-heavy eVTOL aircraft. This global testing program is the final step before commercial launch after further R&D.
“At the same time, Skyportz will be signing distribution and manufacturing partners around the world to prepare for widescale deployment. We’re building the foundation for a truly global, modular vertiport network.
“The success of the whole industry depends on a multitude of vertipad destinations, and our modular, low cost and safe solution will help the property industry have the confidence to join the aviation industry.”
Energy and charging infrastructure will also be a priority. Early megawatt-charging demonstrations will support fast turnaround of electric aircraft, while hydrogen refuelling systems will evolve in parallel with emerging hydrogen-electric programmes.
Early Use Cases Moving Toward Commercial Operation
It is thought that a number of practical, revenue-generating use cases will emerge in 2026. Airport shuttle services are expected to be among the first commercially viable operations, offering predictable routing, controlled environments, and strong passenger demand. These early deployments will serve as high-visibility proofs-of-concept and generate operational data critical for scaling.
Cargo and logistics applications will also continue to expand. Heavy-lift drones and cargo eVTOL platforms already benefit from more flexible regulatory pathways, and the sector is likely to see broader adoption across middle-mile and regional distribution networks.
Public service missions, such as medical transport, emergency response, and disaster assessment, will further demonstrate the utility of AAM technologies. These operations provide immediate societal benefits while supporting operator experience and public acceptance.
Challenges: Funding, Public Acceptance, and Energy Constraints
Despite momentum, the pathway to scaled operations remains complex. Certification bottlenecks and limited regulator capacity could slow progress for some aircraft programmes. Infrastructure funding is uneven across regions, with many cities still determining how to integrate vertiports into existing transport strategies. Public acceptance also presents ongoing challenges, particularly around noise, safety perceptions, and urban integration.
Energy constraints, including grid capacity and charging standardisation, will shape deployment speed and network reliability. Operators will need clear, stable policies to support long-term investment.
A Foundational Year for the Road Ahead
While AAM will not reach full commercial maturity in 2026, the industry is working hard to achieve critical technical, regulatory, and operational milestones that should bring the sector meaningfully closer to widespread adoption.
The year is expected to mark the transition from isolated demonstrations to the first structured commercial routes, laying the groundwork for more robust operations expected between 2027 and 2030. For manufacturers, operators, and cities alike, 2026 represents a defining chapter in the evolution of future air mobility.
Dan Sloat added,
“AAM is much more than eVTOLs alone. It’s the entire ecosystem of electric aviation including Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), digital infrastructure (i.e. UAS Traffic Management), physical infrastructure (i.e. vertiports, charging stations, MRO hubs), and autonomous aviation systems (ex. Wisk). The allure of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) was driven by eVTOLs but AAM is a far more encompassing concept that envisions a new mode of transportation and services for public safety (i.e. Search & Rescue; ex. Jump Aero). The Institute adheres to NASA’s original definition of AAM: an air transportation system that moves people and cargo between places previously not served or underserved by aviation.
“2026 will be a significant inflection point for the Advanced Air Mobility sector in terms of achieving public acceptance. It is vital that we do not lose sight of the vision of AAM as a just and equitable ecosystem. If we fail to increase accessibility for underserved communities then we fail to reach our potential as an industry. As the first year of the US Department of Transportation’s National AAM Strategy, meaningful progress needs to be made this year to help justify the next nine years of the planned decade ahead. If done right, it can really reignite investor excitement and expand public awareness about game changing technology in emerging aviation. On the other hand, if the tone for the period starts off underwhelming then over time it could become a steep uphill battle for ongoing government support of any kind. Any OEM interested in pursuing the US Market should study this document closely.
“On the heels of highly visible insolvency struggles among several OEMs in Europe recently, the AAM sector is eager to celebrate wins. Fortunately, Personal Air Vehicles (PAVs) such as the Pivotal Helix, Jetson One, LIFT Hexa, Zapata AirScooter, and the Neo Aeronautics Crimson S8 are making tremendous progress under less stringent regulatory pathways for recreational use rather than proper transportation. 2026 will face further consolidation among industry players so more OEMs should enter public competitions to prove their mettle before decision makers’ interest fades. Godspeed racers!“
