Airports
NBAA Exec: Airports Should Begin Prepping for AAM
Airports should not wait for AAM to arrive before preparing for the transition and should be aware of the benefits it can bring, NBAA's Gertsen said.
A view of an airplane's flight deck
AAM can bring benefits such as electrification, alleviating concerns of communities such as Santa Monica, California, about their local airports. (Photo: Matt Thurber/AIN)

Airports should not wait for the advanced air mobility (AAM) wave to arrive but should begin preparing for the different electrification and operational needs, NBAA director of airports and ground infrastructure Alex Gertsen warned during an Airport Cooperative Research Program event last week.

“NBAA is working to help integrate AAM successfully into the National Airspace System, ensuring interoperability with all existing aircraft types and ultimately to let airports know that they should be preparing for electrification and new aircraft arriving, not to sit back and just say, ‘Oh, I can wait,’” Gertsen said. He added that airports need to remain engaged and involved as the transition occurs.