SkyGrid and Port San Antonio have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the technologies and regulatory frameworks necessary for the safe integration of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations.
The partnership focuses on the Port’s 1,900-acre Tech Port campus, positioning the site as a primary environment for the research, development, and scaling of both crewed and uncrewed aircraft. SkyGrid, a Boeing company and subsidiary of Wisk Aero, will provide expertise in digital airspace services, automation, and operational assurance to support these efforts.
While current industry attention often highlights vehicle hardware, this collaboration prioritizes the foundational digital systems required for integrated operations. The joint team will analyze several critical technical areas, including AAM routing, low-altitude traffic surveillance, and micro-weather monitoring. Additionally, the project will address communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems alongside cyber-resilient infrastructure.
The initiative leverages Port San Antonio’s existing strategic advantages, including its status as a joint-use airfield and its established cluster of technology partners. The campus already hosts one of Boeing’s largest aircraft maintenance and modernization hubs, a presence that has spanned over 90 years in Texas. Furthermore, Wisk Aero has identified the state as a launch market for its autonomous AAM operations, providing a direct link between the physical airspace and SkyGrid’s infrastructure-grade digital systems.
The scope of the agreement also covers the development of new digital flight rules and airport-vertiport operational concepts. These efforts are designed to align with broader national aviation modernization priorities, including potential participation in federal initiatives like the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).
Jim Perschbach, President and CEO of Port San Antonio, said, “SkyGrid is an invaluable partner as we begin proving advanced air mobility. Their focus on digital airspace infrastructure and operational assurance aligns directly with the realities of a joint-use airfield. This partnership is a major validation of what we’ve long believed—that Port San Antonio is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of aviation.”
