Ferrovial, a global infrastructure operator, and the U.S Georgia Institute of Technology, announced last week “a long-term partnership focused on advancing innovation in transport infrastructure”, reports a press release.
This collaboration will allow for “joint research activities, providing new educational and development opportunities for students and enabling Ferrovial to create a more sustainable future for mobility”. The agreement was formally signed at the University’s campus in Atlanta.
Andres Sacristan, CEO of Contra Global, Ferrovial’s highways business, commented, “Ferrovial understands our industry must remain agile as transportation continues to evolve. By partnering with universities like Georgia Tech, we can continue to improve the traveler experience and better serve our clients bye providing new mobility services.”
A primary interest for Ferrovial is diversifying its present highly successful global airport construction to vertiports. Via this new business, the company aims to design, build and operate infrastructure required by eVTOLs.
Ferrovial has been collaborating with Georgia Tech for several years, so this latest agreement is an extension. The University is an attractive partner due to an expertise in traffic engineering, research capabilities in construction, airports and energy.
Angel Cabrera, President of Georgia Tech, remarked, “Ferrovial is reimagining transportation and this collaboration will enable our researchers and students to gain a firsthand understanding of the needs of our nation’s infrastructure.”
A Graphic Image of a Potential UK Vertiport (Credit: Ferrovial)
It is likely Ferrovial will become a leading player within the vertiport industry, where some of the new companies presently being set up for this market will be squeezed out by such a global giant.
For example, back in October 2021, Ferrovial Airports announced plans to deploy a network of more than 25 vertiports around the UK. To develop the design and engineering components of this infrastructure, Ferrovial is partnering with Grimshaw Architects and global engineering, management and development consultancy, Mott MacDonald.
This news followed an agreement to develop another network of more than 10 vertiports in Florida, U.S. In June this year, Ferrovial partnered with property developer, Milligan, to identify and develop the UK sites. It is likely, Ferrovial will become the global go-to company for leading eVTOL companies.
For the company has over 20 years’ experience of investing, developing and operating 33 airports around the world including the United States, Australia and Chile. It currently has four airports in the United Kingdom alone. With the largest financial stake in Heathrow, it is the core shareholder and industrial partner. Ferrovial also partly owns Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton Airports.
Do not be surprised if initial UK vertiports will be constructed at the country’s major airport hubs.
For more information
https://www.ferrovial.com/en-gb/business/airports/vertiports/
