Korean Air and Skyports Partner to Integrate eVTOL Flight and Ground Systems

This article is based on an official press release from Korean Air and Skyports Infrastructure.

Korean Air and Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports) have formally announced a strategic partnership to co-develop a unified platform for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations. The agreement, solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at Drone Show Korea (DSK) 2026 in Busan, aims to bridge the technological gap between flight operations and ground infrastructure.

The collaboration focuses on creating an end-to-end passenger management system. By integrating Korean Air’s flight operation expertise with Skyports’ vertiport infrastructure capabilities, the partners intend to streamline the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) experience, covering everything from initial check-in to final arrival.

Integrating Air and Ground Technologies

According to the joint announcement, the core of this partnership involves linking two proprietary systems: Korean Air’s ACROSS and Skyports’ Vertiport Automation System (VAS).

ACROSS: Flight Operations

Developed in 2024, Korean Air’s ACROSS (Air Control & Routing Orchestrated Skyway System) is designed to manage the complexities of the low-altitude aviation environment. The system handles fleet operations for eVTOLs, Drones, and Helicopters. Its capabilities include managing flight schedules, approving flight plans, monitoring aircraft in real-time, and overseeing maintenance requirements.

VAS: Infrastructure Management

Skyports contributes its Vertiport Automation System (VAS), which controls the physical infrastructure and passenger processing on the ground. This system manages resource allocation, such as gate availability and charging stations, while also handling passenger-facing procedures like security screening and boarding.

By integrating these systems, the companies aim to synchronize the movement of aircraft with the flow of passengers, ensuring that ground handling aligns perfectly with flight schedules.

“ACROSS delivers integrated flight control and air traffic management for the low-altitude aviation environment. As vertiports serve as the essential interface for these operations, our partnership with Skyports, a global leader in infrastructure, is a critical milestone in building a safe and efficient AAM ecosystem.”

, Korean Air Representative

Strategic Context and Global Expansion

This Partnerships comes as both companies accelerate their commercial timelines in key global markets. The joint platform is expected to be tested through pilot programs in regions identified for early AAM adoption.

Korean Air’s Validation History

Korean Air has established itself as a domestic leader in South Korea’s AAM sector. It was the first domestic entity to receive UAM traffic management demonstration status. The airline successfully validated the performance of its ACROSS system during Phases 1 and 2 of the K-UAM Grand Challenge, a program overseen by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT). These tests included ground-based operations at the Goheung Aviation Test Center and comprehensive flight tests along the Ara Canal in Incheon.

Skyports’ International Footprint

Skyports Infrastructure is currently executing multiple commercial projects. According to the company, commercial operations in Dubai are scheduled to commence in 2026. Additionally, Skyports is developing infrastructure in Abu Dhabi and transitioning the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in New York City into a dedicated AAM hub. In South Korea, Skyports was appointed in late 2025 as the lead developer for a commercial vertiport network on Jeju Island, with operations targeted for 2028.

AirPro News Analysis

The integration of flight logic (ACROSS) with ground logic (VAS) addresses a persistent bottleneck in the aviation industry: the disconnect between airspace management and terminal operations. In traditional aviation, slot management and gate allocation are often handled by disparate systems, leading to inefficiencies.

By building a unified digital backbone before commercial scaling occurs, Korean Air and Skyports are attempting to preempt these friction points. If successful, this “curb-to-sky” integration could set a standard for how AAM operators manage high-frequency flights in dense urban environments, where turnaround times must be minimized to ensure profitability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary goal of the Korean Air and Skyports partnership?

The partners aim to develop an integrated software platform that links flight operations (air traffic management) with vertiport infrastructure (ground handling) to create a seamless passenger journey.

When was the agreement signed?

The MoU was signed on February 27, 2026, during Drone Show Korea (DSK) at BEXCO in Busan.

What specific technologies are being combined?

The platform will combine Korean Air’s ACROSS (Air Control & Routing Orchestrated Skyway System) and Skyports’ VAS (Vertiport Automation System).

Where will Skyports launch commercial operations first?

Skyports has scheduled commercial operations to begin in Dubai in 2026.

Sources

• Korean Air Newsroom