Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and eVTOL aircraft manufacturer Overair have announced a memorandum of understanding to cooperatively explore the future of vertiport development and eVTOL aircraft operations within the DFW Metroplex.
“The partnership will include a feasibility assessment for integrating passenger eVTOL operations across the North Texas region. eVTOL aircraft, like Overair’s Butterfly, are being developed around the world as the next step in urban air mobility, potentially creating advanced point-to-point electric air transit options,” said the companies in a press release.
“DFW Airport has a long history of building the groundwork today for the airport needs of the future,” DFW Airport EVP Innovation Paul Puopolo said. “By exploring the future of aviation now, we will help better position the entire DFW Metroplex for the next era of innovative air mobility.”
“Today’s agreement is a major step toward bringing Advanced Air Mobility to one of the world’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas,” said Overair CCO Valerie Manning. “We look forward to working closely with DFW to ensure the more than eight million people living throughout this region, along with the millions of visitors per year, will have easy access to safe, fast, affordable, and eco-friendly travel options.”
The agreement will create a joint, cross-functional working group to explore the policies and infrastructure needed to implement an integrated, sustainable eVTOL program at DFW in the future. The working group will also investigate the operational procedures, including approach, landing, taxiing, charging, loading and unloading passengers, takeoff, departure, and safety protocols required for such a program.
Overair will also lead an assessment of the demand for all-electric advanced air mobility services within the DFW Metroplex and evaluate scenarios for flight operations in and out of vertiport locations.
Overair has also today announced a partnership with the City of Arlington, Texas. “This collaboration marks the first-ever direct partnership between a city in Texas and an eVTOL Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)” according to the company press release. “Together, Overair and Arlington aim to develop and launch electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations, starting at Arlington Municipal Airport and extending throughout the DFW region.
“It is expected that the eVTOL operations will offer a direct connection to the city’s vibrant Entertainment District, home to Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, four professional sports franchises, — Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, Arlington Renegades, and the WNBA’s Dallas Wings – as well as numerous restaurants, shopping centers, museums, and live entertainment venues.”
As part of the agreement, Overair will also establish a base of operations in North Central Texas,
“Today’s announcement is a major step toward positioning Arlington as one of the first cities in the world to integrate fully electric AAM capabilities into its transportation ecosystem,” said Overair Chief Commercial Officer Valerie Manning.
Per the agreement, Overair and the City of Arlington will establish a joint, cross-functional working group to oversee and address the challenges of the project and ensure timely completion of milestones, including an initial feasibility study conducted by Overair to assess the demand for AAM services within the Arlington area and evaluate scenarios for flight operations in and out of vertiport locations.
“This partnership with Overair not only advances the City of Arlington as a leader in implementing innovative transportation solutions, it also provides high-tech and engineering jobs to our residents and the community at large; ultimately creating a new mobility ecosystem that will provide socio-economic progress for decades to come,” said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross.
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