Milan-based Air Taxi Startup Launched by SEA, F2i Aeroporti, and Skyports

Kevin Rozario

London

October 9, 2024

mod VEGA Milan 10 10 2024 Skyports Vega

Milan's skyline could see air taxis soon.

© Skyports-Vega

The board of Vega – Vertical Gateway—a newly established company dedicated to the development of the advanced air mobility (AAM) market in Italy—convened for the first time on Tuesday. Its initial aim is to establish services between Malpensa Airport and central Milan before widening its reach.

Vega’s shareholders are influential in the transport infrastructure sector. They include SEA, the company managing Milan’s key airports; Skyports Infrastructure, a leader in the vertiport market for the AAM industry; and 2i Aeroporti, a leading airport platform in Italy that is controlled by F2i – Italian Infrastructure Funds and Ardian.

F2i, through 2i Aeroporti, controls the largest airport network in Italy, processing more than 63 million passengers every year with a 32% market share. This has been achieved over the years through several acquisitions and investments. Its portfolio includes 36.4% of SEA; the majority of Naples, Turin, and Trieste airport companies; and a minority stake in both Bologna airport and Skyports.

Vega’s board is comprised of five directors led by Chairman Alessandro Fidato, who is SEA Milan Airports’ Chief Operating Officer; and Paolo Cappello who has been appointed CEO and currently leads SEA Milan’s AAM business unit. The company will focus on AAM development and the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) market starting in Milan and the Lombardy region of northern Italy. It sees a bright future for efficient, low-emission transport solutions for passengers and cargo.

City-to-Airport Pairing

A statement from SEA Group—which manages Malpensa (MXP) and Linate (LIN) airports serving Milan, Italy’s commercial hub—said that Vega will introduce “innovative and sustainable solutions for the movement of people and goods in urban and suburban areas.” Utilizing eVTOLs and hybrid aircraft will be central to that goal.

The vertiports markets is growing.

Interest in the vertiports market is growing. (Image courtesy of Ferrovial)

Vega will develop infrastructure to literally allow the AAM market to get off the ground in northern Italy. In particular, this will entail the design, construction, development, maintenance, and management of vertiports, and creating dedicated areas for them.

Vega board member Damian Kysely, also Head of EMEA at Skyports Infrastructure, said: “The formation of Vega is a significant milestone in Skyports’ mission to bring air taxi operations to northern Italy. This joint venture underscores our commitment to building the infrastructure needed to make AAM a reality for Milan and Lombardy and positioning the region as a leader in Europe.”

As mentioned, the first project will connect Milan’s airport system—among the top 10 airport systems in Europe by volume—with the city of Milan. Beyond that will come further connections across the Lombardy region, though no timescale was announced. Later, Vega plans to expand operations to other parts of the country.