As the government said it will commercialize the next-generation transportation mode called "urban air mobility (UAM)"—known as "flying taxis"—in 2028, it is expected to unveil a detailed implementation plan soon. But the aircraft (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles), the core of the UAM project, are not being developed by domestic corporations and will have to be imported. Even that is uncertain, as no import contracts have been signed yet, raising doubts over whether imports can be made by the year after next.
According to reporting compiled by ChosunBiz on the 15th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to release a detailed implementation plan for a Korea-style UAM commercialization service in mid-next month. This is the first time an execution plan is coming out since a mid-to-long-term roadmap was released in 2020. However, the plan reportedly leaves out a strategy for introducing aircraft. Instead, it is said to include measures to build the operating system, including transport, airspace, and traffic management.
Localization of UAM aircraft is being pursued by Hyundai Motor and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), but there is a long way to go before commercialization. It is said that developing UAM aircraft and obtaining airworthiness (safety) certification can take up to 10 years. This process requires large-scale investment funds. In a situation where it is hard to be confident about the success of the UAM business, it is not easy for corporations to readily make large-scale investments.
Therefore, to commercialize UAM domestically, aircraft must be imported from overseas companies such as the U.S. UAM developers Joby Aviation (Joby) and Archer Aviation (Archer). The two companies are expected to obtain airworthiness certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as early as next year and bring the world's first certified UAM aircraft to market.
Aircraft are typically contracted on a pre-order basis before production. However, the government has not yet signed any contracts. A government official said, "We are in discussions on the budget with fiscal authorities such as the Ministry of Planning and Budget." The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) previously delayed the UAM commercialization timeline from 2025 to 2028, citing difficulties in procuring aircraft. Concerns are being raised that even the scaled-back plan may be hard to achieve.
The longer the contracts with overseas companies are delayed, the more difficult it could become to secure aircraft. That is because the number of UAM aircraft Joby and Archer can produce for the time being is estimated at about 10 units each. The industry expects a significant share of the initial volume to be supplied to the United States. The U.S. government has set a goal of making 2028, when the LA Olympics will be held, the first year of UAM commercialization.
With no aircraft, pilot training also cannot take place. UAM cannot be operated with existing aircraft operating qualifications and requires a separate qualification. To obtain the qualification, one must either train by operating UAM in advance or complete coursework. To meet the government's commercialization schedule, domestic personnel will likely need to be sent overseas for training.