Zag Daily

The latest Global AAM/UAM Market Map report identifies 1,504 planned vertiports worldwide, with China leading development while Europe lags behind. While China leads, the report also points to the significant push in the U.S., where interest in vertiports is growing despite the lack of detailed certification frameworks. “It’s surprising to see how aggressively the U.S. is moving ahead even though the certification criteria, including emergency services training, aren’t fully in place yet,” Philip Butterworth-Hayes, author of the report and editorial director at Unmanned Publications Ltd, told Zag Daily.  #AAM #ZagAir Read more: https://lnkd.in/e7zTNd9n 

Swedish e-bike retailer MOVS® consolidates its service offering to be a “one-stop shop” for cycling in Scandinavia. Under one unified brand that integrates e-bike retailer Elcykelvaruhuset and benefit bike company Urban Benefit, MOVS will offer retail and in-house production, subscription-based bikes, and employee benefit bikes. “In recent years, we’ve seen a shift in how Swedes access bikes. Since bicycles became an employee benefit in 2022, demand for benefit bikes has surged. Yet, many still prefer full ownership, while others opt for flexible subscriptions,” MOVS CEO Mikael Klingberg told Zag Daily. “By evolving MOVS into a one-stop shop, we make cycling more accessible, no matter the need or lifestyle.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eZrkPzWn

Lilium is facing another financial crisis as the company struggles to secure a critical funding package that was expected to stabilise its operations. After announcing a €200 million rescue deal on Christmas Eve, Lilium has so far received only a fraction of the promised funds, leaving it unable to pay salaries and forcing it to suspend operations. “At this point, it is best if the firm merges with industry leaders such as Joby Aviation, Archer, or Airbus to regain stability under a stronger brand,” Lilium shareholder Dr Vivek Arunachalam Arunchalam told Zag Daily. #AAM #ZagAir Read more: https://lnkd.in/dUriiCrN

Laura Fox has sat on both ends of the green mobility investment table. As Lyft’s General Manager for Citi Bike, she helped skyrocket the system’s growth from $40 million in ridership revenue to $120 million in four years. Laura now extends her expertise to early-stage climate tech startups as Co-Founder and Managing Partner of VC firm Streetlife Ventures, where she invests in B2B pre-seed and seed stage startups. In #26 of Zag’s Women Making Moves series, we ask Laura what a climate tech startup’s pitch should look like if they want a VC to write the cheque. “To be an attractive sell, a critical piece of advice I’d give to any startup who’s in talks with a VC is to ask from the very beginning of the conversation what the VC’s criteria is when investing. I’m always surprised how little I get asked this at Streetlife.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/ebBW9-87

Exclusive: How Hoppy - Shared mobility became one of micromobility's few profitable operators. CEO Kenny Vercruysse has exclusively told Zag Daily that the Belgian operator closed 2024 with almost €1 million in net profit, €2.2 million EBITDA and €6 million in revenue. “We maintain a four-year depreciation cycle for our vehicles, which we believe realistically reflects their actual lifespan in daily operations in the worst case. “Our more conservative approach provides an honest view of our financial health and highlights that our profitability is built on solid fundamentals and realistic cost management.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/etKf9w4k

Each week for #AirYourOpinion we invite a leading voice to air their loudest opinion about the Advanced Air Mobility sector right now. This week we ask Freshta Farzam, Founder and CEO of LYTE Aviation, and one of our nominated 50 changemakers in the #ZagAirList. Freshta speaks on advancements in Artificial Intelligence and how they will impact the growth and development speed of the AAM sector. "As AAM converges with the rapid advancements in AI, the arrival of flying buses, air taxis, and drones is accelerating faster than we expect—this is the Time-Space Continuum at its best! AI is not only crucial for us as OEMs to integrate into our aircraft but also for our partners across the entire ecosystem—from hydrogen production and refueling stations to air traffic control. “AI enhances AAM by improving situational awareness, predictive maintenance, and decision-making. In a future where skybuses, air taxis, and drones operate within the same airspace, AI will be essential to accelerate the infrastructure of those complex matrices. “We are considering AI-driven last-mile delivery optimization for our 4.5-ton cargo SkyTruck, as well as for two-seater air taxis and drones in the near future. Advanced AI engines can forecast precise capacity needs weeks in advance. Imagine knowing exactly how many skybuses, air taxis, and drones will be required long before they are deployed. AI is driving a quantum leap in technological advancements across the industry." Do you agree? Comment below or send us your opinion as a private message. #AirYourOpinion #AAM #ZagAir #ZagAirList

The European shipping and aviation industry is urging the EU to prioritise scalable renewable fuel in its upcoming Clean Industrial Deal. An open letter signed by the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA), Airlines for Europe (A4E), and T&E states that Europe has the potential to be a leader in green fuel technologies, but is being hindered by the sector’s financial realities. "To date Europe has faced a chicken and egg problem. Hydrogen is expensive and without guaranteed demand, producers have been afraid to invest. Fuel mandates would help to guarantee demand, however it isn't only that. Current ship and airline bunkering practices are based on short-term or spot contracts. They don’t buy fuel for the next ten years. “Smart instruments at the EU level that help to bridge the cost gap between fossil and renewable hydrogen for consumers can take the risk out of hydrogen investments,” Transport & Environment Executive Director william todts told Zag Daily. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eG2DabTd

Moya Aero’s cargo eVTOL has completed nearly 200 test flights, with CEO Alexandre Zaramela making the case that cargo operations, not passenger transport, will lead the future of advanced air mobility. “Rather than dealing with the complexities of piloted urban air mobility, we see autonomous cargo transport as a more immediate and realistic application of this technology,” Zaramela said. “Now, investors are realising the near-term viability of autonomous cargo operations.” #AAM #ZagAir Read more: https://lnkd.in/gi2K_kzQ

EXCLUSIVE: Turkish micromobility operator Tripy Mobility has secured fresh investment for European expansion. The investment sum, which cannot be shared, came from Turkish impact fund Fark Labs and aims to expand Tripy’s reach from 7.5 million people to 30 million by the end of the year. “This new investment marks a significant milestone in Tripy’s growth journey. As Turkey’s leading electric bike-sharing and EV charger operator company, we are excited to strengthen our operations and take further steps towards becoming a global brand,” Tripy CEO Ali Onuralp ÜNAL, Dr. told Zag Daily. Read more: https://lnkd.in/geMngFEW

Abu Dhabi is advancing its Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) network with a focus on cargo operations, as Skyports Infrastructure and Abu Dhabi-based LODD Autonomous unveil vertiport designs for the Emirate. “The vertiports will facilitate industrial cargo movement, offshore deliveries, and time-sensitive shipments such as medical supplies and high-value goods. By providing dedicated infrastructure for automated loading, dispatch, and airspace coordination, the vertiports will enhance efficiency, scalability, and reliability in Abu Dhabi’s logistics network,” said Sanjay Suresh, Business Developments leader at LODD. #AAM #ZagAir Read more: https://lnkd.in/ec_XDJNE