There are more solutions than obstacles. Nicolas Zart
Advanced air mobility (AAM) programs reach a discerning point in 2026 where certification, operations and funding decisions take priority. Joby Aviation has completed Stage 3 of the FAA type certification process and enters Type Inspection Authorization testing with FAA pilots later this year. Archer Aviation plans Miami vertiport redevelopment for Midnight aircraft operations in 2026. Eve Air Mobility secured up to $15 million in US Export-Import Bank financing for batteries and engineering from BAE Systems. We are in the midst of the transition from test flights to limited services.
AAM OEM certification status
Joby Aviation advances with its S4 aircraft by completing its power‑on testing of its first FAA‑conforming vehicle in late 2025. Flight testing with Joby pilots continues into 2026, followed by FAA pilot operations under TIA. Stage 4 compliance data supports this phase. Joby targets Dubai commercial operations in 2026 and Saudi Arabia expansion.
As to Archer Aviation, it focuses on its Midnight eVTOL solidifying its United Airlines partnership with trial flights under a White House eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. The plans for Miami include heliport upgrades and new vertiports at Miami International, Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood and Palm Beach airports. Routes target 10 to 20 minute trips with four passengers.
After a long quiet hiatus for Eve Air Mobility, the startup announced an EXIM Bank and PEFCO agreement funds US suppliers during testing. Eve maintains liquidity for certification and prototype builds.
EHang and Wisk follow regional paths. EHang operates in China under existing rules. Wisk pursues autonomous certification in the US.
Early corridors and operations
Corridors form around airports and short regional links. Miami redevelopment serves as an example. Archer integrates vertiports with existing heliports and builds new sites at innovation districts. Dubai and Saudi Arabia host Joby demos. Brazil supports Eve routes. These sites share traits. They use existing infrastructure like heliports. Stage lengths stay short. Local agreements cover noise and airspace.
Infrastructure pacing factors
It is estimated that Vertiports require 2 to 5 megawatts per site with multiple gates. Electric Air Mobility estimates that this number will easily reach 10 to 50 MW of power once AAM is in full swing in a decade. No utility as of now can offer that energy, let alone transmit it. Obviously, power draw depends on aircraft size and charge time. Although, slower charging reduces throughput, a mix of drones low energy needs, higher for eVTOLs, higher for eSTOLs, and even higher for eCTOLs leave many of us turning to innovative energy solutions. Micro nuclear reactors to turbines burning ammonia with hydrogen are taken into account. Airports adapt stands for eVTOL while managing peak demand.aviationweek
vehicle testing will give us an insight as to how much of grid upgrades are needed. This will be costly. Expect utilities to ask government for funding. So far and despite political whims, renewable energy has done very well with a proven business model not needing subsidies. Their redundancy capacity can potentially cover outages.
Regulatory decisions ahead
FAA powered‑lift rules cover Parts 91, 135 and 136 operations. EASA and others align. Key 2026 items include pilot qualifications and airspace rules. Our AAM Master Class strategy follows closely that of airports watching vertiport standards as cities review noise exposure, and operators prepare incident plans.
Trajectory through 2030
2026 has no commercial services on any corridors, but will continue with CONOPS. Type certificates enable operations in those areas. By 2027 to 2030, we will see the natural expansion as infrastructure catches up. Professionals track dispatch rates, economics and integration. Reliable year‑one operations signal scalability.
For further reading:
- AVITrader
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eve-air-mobility-secures-funding-from-private-export-funding-corporationexportimport-bank-of-the-united-states-302662596.html
- https://www.commercialuavnews.com/faa-regulation-certification-aam-joby-archer-electra
- https://www.compositesworld.com/news/joby-evtol-moves-toward-final-stages-of-certification-builds-global-aam-framework
- https://aerospacetechreview.com/archer-aviation-reveal-miami-evtol-network-plans/
- https://ng.investing.com/news/company-news/eve-air-mobility-secures-15-million-loan-for-evtol-development-93CH-2292149
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/joby-aviations-stock-outperfomed-2025-151716411.html
- https://ir.jobyaviation.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/164/joby-caps-year-of-flight-demonstrating-global-commercial
- https://www.jobyaviation.com/news/joby-begins-power-on-testing-of-first-conforming-aircraft/
- https://www.techsteel.net/archer-aims-to-fly-trial-evtol-ops-under-new-white-house-program-2
- https://www.urbanairmobilitynews.com/insurance-and-finance/exim-bank-and-pefco-to-provide-finance-support-to-eve-air-mobility-us-suppliers/
- https://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/airports-fbos-suppliers/aam-ground-electrical-need-supply-part-3
- https://nbaa.org/aircraft-operations/emerging-technologies/advanced-air-mobility-aam/faa-publishes-long-awaited-powered-lift-proposed-rule/
- https://www.autonomyglobal.co/what-to-expect-in-2026-for-advanced-air-mobility/
- https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/advanced-air-mobility/key-trends-watch-aam-2026
- https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/year-in-review/advanced-air-mobility-continues-to-mature/
- https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/aerospace-defense/advanced-air-mobility.html
- https://www.flyingmag.com/2025-2026-electric-air-taxi-flight-testi/
- https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/TM-N/pressreleases/37063878/joby-aviation-s-stock-outperfomed-in-2025-and-ready-for-takeoff-in-2026/