Ferrovial’s airports division has partnered with Milligan to identify and develop sites to launch urban air mobility operations in the United Kingdom. The collaboration will advance the company’s plan to design, build and operate vertiports.

The partners will identify demand-rich locations, select potential sites, and carry out assessment criteria to determine the viability of each site for eVTOL operations. They will work along with AECOM and Lichfields acting as planning advisors.

The partnership was announced at a special event hosted by UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds in May, where Ferrovial Vertiports UK and EMEA managing director, Brad Miller, and Milligan executive chairman John Milligan introduced their approach to engaging communities and core stakeholders in the future of air mobility.

“With a 70-year history of developing transportation infrastructure that helps communities flourish and grow, Ferrovial is proud to play a leading role in transforming the future of urban air mobility,” said Miller.

Harris added: “UKREiiF has been the perfect opportunity to unveil the details of our partnership and plans going forward, and with an audience of local authorities, central government, developers, and landowners, we are looking into the locations of the UK’s first Vertiports.”

Ferrovial and Milligan were joined by Dominic Jackson, market development manager at Vertical Aerospace, a manufacturer of eVTOLs and one of Ferrovial Vertiport’s key partners.

Imperatives for the locations being sought are that they are compatible with airspace requirements, are at least 4,000 square metres with connection to utilities, and avoid residential or noise-sensitive areas. Sites can be located on the ground and on top of existing buildings, such as rooftops or car parks, with design and fit-out costs covered.

Milligan and Ferrovial are now in active discussions with local authorities, landowners, and asset owners in strategic UK locations that align with Ferrovial Vertiports’ demand model.

Last month, Ferrovial Vertiports appointed Kirk Hotelling as senior vice president of real estate and development where he will lead global site selection, negotiations and construction for the development of the company’s planned vertiport networks.