URBAN- AIR PORTS IN GHANA

URBAN- AIR PORTS IN GHANA

Urban-Air Port’s Air One event in Coventry, UK

The Urban-Air Port, the British company that designs and manufactures vertiports for flying cars and drones is set to come to Africa;  the gateway is Ghana.

In April 2022, the aviation and aerospace manufacturing company Urban-Air Port, launched Air One, an airport, the world’s first vertiport for electric flying cars, and large autonomous drones in Coventry, United Kingdom.

The 17,000 square foot vertiport, an airport focused on zero-emission aviation, is designed to be a multi-modal charging hub for electric Vertical take-off and landing aircraft (EVTOL), autonomous drones and electric vehicles (EVs). It brings to life the idea that provides the essential infrastructure needed for air mobility and the possibility of easing congestion and pollution in urban centers through air travel.

Currently, unmanned drones are being used across the globe by many companies to manage their supply chain systems, mining operations, land survey operations, agriculture, and much more. In the transport business for instance, many drone manufacturers are aiming at obtaining flying certifications by 2025, at the latest. Even more interesting is the fact that, according to some industry experts (Precedence Research), the drone logistics and transportation market size which was valued at US$ 8.7 billion in 2020 is expected to hit US$ 59.52 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 21.2% from 2021 to 2030.

Africa is ready to leapfrog on the numerous advancements made and some African countries like Ghana have enacted and updated comprehensive guidelines on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for both private and commercial applications within their airspace. This is a stepping stone in the right direction and shows a certain commitment to taking air transport and logistics in Ghana to another dimension. 

The Urban-Air airport, when deployed in Ghana will be a replica of Air One. Air One is constructed from steel and aluminum wrapped in a tensile translucent fabric, and took 15 months to complete, from planning to deployment, including 11 weeks for construction. In Ghana, its functions would primarily focus on transportation, logistics, and emergency services. 

Urban-Air Port’s food & beverage area

Air One, is not just an urban airport, but a brand new current futuristic experience. Inside Air One, is a passenger lounge, security screening area, restaurants, shops, and the designated drone area. It is a charging hub for electrical aircraft and vehicles. It is also a retail hub that is home to some of the world’s top brands, with interactive and experiential brand showcases, unique retail offers, and fully integrated smart vending solutions that work with the Urban-airport App. The urban airport app is one which is part of ‘Urban-Air Choice’, Urban-Air Port’s non-aeronautical revenue and customer offering that facilitates journey planning, flight reservations, e-commerce, online payment, loyalty programs, an advertisement platform for partners and services, and many other digital solutions.

Urban- Air Ports which has begun on a smooth trajectory in the UK is set to come to launch in Ghana in the near future and is fronted by Businesslens Ghana Limited, a wholly Ghanaian owned entity, led by Dr. Fidel Owusu Agyei. The project, with its significant technology base, falls within Ghana’s digital agenda for economic transformation and will bring much-needed economic sustainability in the areas of education (aviation), logistics, agriculture, security and so much more.

At the launch of Air One, in Coventry, United Kingdom, Ricky Sandhu, Founder  & Executive Chairman of Urban-Air Port, said it was the start of “a new age of transport, an age of zero-emission, congestion-free travel between and within cities that will make people healthier, happier and more connected.”  This is definitely something Africa needs, and Ghana is ready to spearhead this experience.