Korean Air has successfully completed the world’s first comprehensive Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations demonstration. This marks a significant milestone in the advancement of air mobility systems and the development of the Korean Urban Air Mobility (K-UAM) Grand Challenge. The demonstration, which took place over five weeks starting on March 11 at the Goheung Aviation Test Centre in South Jeolla Province, involved collaboration with industry giants like Hyundai Motor Company, Korea Telecom (KT), Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), and Hyundai Engineering & Construction.
The core of the demonstration focused on validating Korean Air’s proprietary UAM Operation Control System and Traffic Management System. These systems, integral to ensuring the safe and efficient functioning of UAM services, were connected to the 5G aviation communication network, linking electric vertical take-off and landing (e-VTOL) aircraft with the operational systems.
During the demonstration, 10 different scenarios—including both normal and emergency situations—were tested, allowing Korean Air to assess the functionality and reliability of the systems in various conditions. Data from these tests will be used to enhance the safety and efficiency of future UAM operations, particularly in densely populated urban environments.
The success of this demonstration is part of a larger initiative. Korean Air had previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), Incheon International Airport Corporation, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to test the feasibility of UAM operations. Korean Air remains committed to advancing the UAM ecosystem in Korea, contributing to government-led efforts to establish effective urban air mobility solutions.
