Incheon Applies for Preliminary UAM Pilot Zone Designation... Prioritizing Yeongjong-Deokjeok Route

Incheon is moving forward with the introduction of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to improve emergency transportation conditions for island residents and boost island tourism for transfer passengers at Incheon International Airport.

The city announced today (November 3) that it is pursuing the designation of a UAM pilot operation zone with the goal of phased commercialization from 2028 through 2030.

The city will first focus its initiative on the Yeongjong Island-Deokjeok Island route.

Deokjeok Island has high transportation demand, with an annual average of about 43,000 ferry passengers and an annual average of 25 emergency helicopter transport cases.

On October 20, the city and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport successfully demonstrated UAM flight and air traffic control technologies using a surrogate aircraft on the Yeongjong Island-Deokjeok Island route.

The latest demonstration involved the "K-UAM One Team," consisting of Incheon International Airport Corporation, Korean Air, KT, Hyundai Motor, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction.

The demonstration flight was conducted along the route stretching from Geojampo Port in Yeongjong Island to Deokjeok Island and Wangsan Marina, deploying an aircraft standing in for an actual UAM vehicle.

The city submitted a preliminary application for the designation of the UAM pilot operation zone to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on October 22, and plans to accelerate the pilot zone designation and phased commercialization following the official application next year.

In addition to the route tested in the recent demonstration flight, the city is also considering UAM routes connecting to Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal and Michuhol Tower within Songdo International City.

An Incheon city official stated, "Based on the demonstration results, we will work closely with relevant organizations to pursue the designation of the pilot operation zone and establish a public service model that citizens can truly experience."

(Photo provided by Incheon Metropolitan City, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.