#United States #eVTOL #AIR #Auburndale #Florida DOT

AIR Establishes U.S. Headquarters and eVTOL Production Hub in Florida

AIR, a prominent name in advanced air mobility (AAM), is taking significant strides in reshaping the future of aviation. On August 11, 2026, the company announced a partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), aimed at establishing its United States headquarters. The facility will be located at SunTrax, a cutting-edge research and development hub for advanced air and ground transportation near Orlando, Florida. This initiative will mark AIR as the first AAM company to manufacture and operate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the state of Florida.

Investment in Florida's Aviation Ecosystem

Setting up operations at SunTrax represents a strategic move for AIR, allowing the company to leverage Florida's robust aviation ecosystem. Notably, AIR has already been conducting flight operations in Florida since August 2025, near West Palm Beach. It is expected that production of the AIR ONE personal eVTOL aircraft, along with an autonomous heavy-lift cargo aircraft, will commence by the end of this year. As AIR's operations expand at the SunTrax campus, the company plans to relocate its flight test programs for both aircraft to this site. This decision aligns with AIR's goal to take full advantage of the modern facilities available at SunTrax, which include dedicated airspace, the first AAM aerial test track in the nation, vertiports, and maintenance hangars designed to support aircraft production and testing.

A Vision for Future Air Mobility

Rani Plaut, CEO and co-founder of AIR, emphasizes the transformative phase that advanced air mobility is entering as the company transitions from aircraft development to production and real-world operations. He noted, "Establishing AIR's U.S. headquarters at SunTrax gives us the infrastructure and support needed to manufacture and operate our aircraft in America while contributing to a strong domestic AAM industry." This strategic positioning not only facilitates AIR's growth but also underscores the importance of Florida in the national air mobility narrative.

AIR's decision to set up in Florida is further bolstered by its existing customer base of over 300 in the state, along with an expanding network of partners, suppliers, and supporters. Given Florida's strong commitment to enhancing infrastructure and policies that promote advanced air mobility, this partnership is projected to significantly expedite AIR's operational expansion.

Job Creation and Economic Impact

The collaboration between AIR and FDOT is expected to have a positive economic impact, with AIR expressing its intention to hire locally, thereby strengthening Florida's burgeoning advanced manufacturing economy. Both organizations aim to work closely to meet AIR's long-term manufacturing requirements as it scales its production capabilities. Jared W. Perdue, P.E., FDOT Secretary, commented on the partnership, saying, “This partnership brings aircraft production, testing, and jobs to the state and will help continue the development of this new mode of transportation.” This initiative marks a significant step towards establishing flying cars in Florida, effectively aiming to transform the skies into highways.

The SunTrax facility is positioned as the centerpiece for AAM research and commercialization in Florida, aligning with national efforts to revolutionize transportation. As this infrastructure develops, it is likely to attract further investment and innovation in the area of air transportation.

Conclusion

With its ambitious plans set in motion, AIR stands poised to redefine air mobility in the United States through its strategic establishment at SunTrax. This partnership not only highlights AIR's leadership in eVTOL technology but also exemplifies Florida’s commitment to fostering advanced air mobility in the future. For continued updates, visit AIR’s official platforms and learn more about their pioneering contributions to aviation.