CAAS, EDB and Supernal ink strategic partnerships to develop advanced air mobility in Asia-Pacific region

Supernal LLC – Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company inked two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) respectively to further develop AAM capabilities and expertise in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region today at Singapore Airshow 2024. The partnerships will drive a variety of activities, including developing research and development (R&D) initiatives, identifying potential use cases, exchanging information to support safety regulatory framework and standards development, and driving public engagement for AAM.

Under the MOU between EDB and Supernal:

• Both organisations will focus on identifying opportunities to enable R&D activities that can build capabilities in key electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology areas.
• EDB and Supernal will also share knowledge and resources to support the development of AAM operational strategies. This includes conducting market analyses and viability studies to assess the feasibility of AAM in Singapore and  focuses on identifying unique applications in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region.
• Both organisations will also evaluate the requirements  needed to establish a presence in Singapore and collaborate on feasibility studies concerning operational-readiness activities such as assembly, vehicle operations, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

Under the MOU between CAAS and Supernal:

• Both organisations will  exchange information to support CAAS’ development of a framework for aircraft certification, validation, acceptance and entry into service, and shaping interoperability requirements at vertiports to support seamless integration of ground and air operations.
• CAAS and Supernal will also explore developing standards for AAM infrastructure, charging and electrical energy storage solutions, airworthiness of aircraft and components, and operations.
• In addition, the two organisations will coordinate efforts with other AAM ecosystem stakeholders to raise public understanding of AAM.

“Working with EDB and CAAS exemplifies how collaboration between government and industry can help make AAM a reality,” said Shin. “Our approach is to develop mutually beneficial partnerships like these to create a tenable business and operational case for stakeholders across the value chain – from manufacturers and regulators to operators and passengers. Insights from both entities will maximize outcomes and prove the value of AAM, especially in a forward-thinking market like Singapore.”