Pathway to Commercial AAM in South Korea Established Through Skyports,

(Copyright Text and Images Skyports, reproduced with kind permission)

PHOTOS, L-R: Yun Yuan Tay, Head of Asia Pacific, Skyports; Albert Rim, CEO, UI Helicopter; Patrick Buckles, Regional Head of Sales; BETA Technologies

Partnership brings together aircraft, operator and infrastructure needed to lay the foundations for South Korea's first commercial AAM services, targeting a 2029 launch

Seoul, South Korea, 15th July 2026 – Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports), the global leader in vertiport infrastructure and operations for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), UI Helicopter Co., Ltd. and BETA Technologies, Inc. (BETA) (NYSE: BETA), have entered into a strategic partnership to establish the key building blocks required to launch commercial electric air taxi services in South Korea.

Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during K-UAM Confex 2026 in Seoul, the partnership brings together the world’s leading vertiport developer, an experienced local aircraft operator and a proven electric aircraft manufacturer, supporting the South Korean Government's ambition to launch commercial AAM services by 2029.

Up to 20 BETA aircraft planned

Under the MoU, UI Helicopter has agreed to acquire up to 20 BETA aircraft, including the ALIA vertical take-off and landing aircraft (A250) and/or the ALIA conventional take-off and landing aircraft (CX300). Initial aircraft deliveries are targeted from 2029.

UI Helicopter is South Korea's leading independent helicopter MRO provider, with nearly four decades of experience supporting the country's aviation sector. It is also one of South Korea's leading helicopter operators and has established expertise in Advanced Air Mobility through its UAS division.

Building the foundations of Korea's AAM network

Across the future AAM networks, Skyports will continue leading on identifying and assessing potential vertiport sites, planning and developing vertiport infrastructure, and supporting site validation. Leveraging its global experience working with regulators and government stakeholders, Skyports will also coordinate engagement with local authorities to help enable the successful rollout of infrastructure to support commercial AAM services.

Skyports has already laid the groundwork for a vertiport network on Jeju Island – first announced as a partnership with the Jeju Provincial Government in 2025 – which is expected to serve as the partnership’s first Korean network.

In addition, Skyports will oversee the planning and deployment of rapid charging infrastructure, including BETA's rapid charging equipment, to support UI Helicopter's future fleet.

Proven electric aircraft for regional and urban operations

BETA's ALIA aircraft have flown more than 160,000 nautical miles across both conventional and vertical takeoff and landing configurations, including multiple trips across the United States and demonstration tours in Europe and the Asia-Pacific.

The ALIA CTOL (CX300), the conventional takeoff and landing variant, is BETA's first aircraft on the path to FAA type certification, and the company has completed its first company-conforming CTOL aircraft.

The ALIA VTOL (A250) continues an extensive flight test and demonstration program as BETA advances it through the FAA certification process.

Together, the two aircraft offer Korea a practical pathway to electric aviation: CTOL operations can begin on existing airport infrastructure while the ecosystem for VTOL matures, enabling a phased introduction of commercial AAM operations.

Alongside its aircraft, BETA has developed and deployed one of the industry's most extensive electric aviation charging networks, with 123 sites online across the United States and Canada. BETA's interoperable fast-charging systems are designed to serve electric aircraft across manufacturers, and will form the backbone of the charging infrastructure Skyports deploys to support UI Helicopter's future fleet in South Korea.

Partner perspectives

Commenting on the MoU signing, Yun Yuan Tay, Head of Asia Pacific, Skyports, said: “This partnership brings together the three essential components of a successful AAM ecosystem: proven aircraft, an experienced local operator and the infrastructure needed to support commercial operations. Building on our progress in Jeju and our experience delivering vertiport networks around the world, we're excited to support the development of the infrastructure and ecosystem that will enable safe, reliable and scalable AAM services in Korea from 2029 onwards."

Albert Rim, CEO, UI Helicopters, said: “For almost four decades, UI Helicopter has supported South Korea's aviation sector through safe and reliable helicopter MRO and flight operations. This partnership marks the next chapter in our journey as we prepare to introduce electric aircraft into commercial service. We look forward to bringing these new services to market and supporting the country's ambition to become a global leader in Advanced Air Mobility.”

Simon Newitt, Head of Sales and Support, BETA Technologies, said: ”This agreement establishes the structure needed to bring commercial electric aviation to South Korea. UI Helicopter brings four decades of flight operations and maintenance experience in the Korean market. Skyports brings expertise in vertiport development and will deploy BETA’s charging systems across the network. BETA brings the ALIA family of aircraft, CTOL and VTOL, with more than 160,000 nautical miles of real-world flying. We're excited to partner with both companies to deliver on South Korea's AAM ambition.”

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Further Reading

About Skyports Infrastructure

Skyports Infrastructure is a global leader in the design, build, and operation of heliports and vertiports for helicopters and eVTOLs. With live operational assets in the UK and US, and projects under development across the Middle East, Europe and Asia, Skyports delivers the ground infrastructure needed for safe, efficient, and scalable vertical lift operations. The company is driving the future of urban air mobility, bringing next-generation aviation to cities around the world.

Find out more at: www.skyports.net

About UI Helicopter

UI Helicopter is Korea’s leading air mobility company, specializing in helicopter MRO, aircraft system integration, and the development and production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs). Since its establishment in 1986, the company has played a pivotal role in the Korean aviation industry. Building on this legacy, UI Helicopter is expanding its footprint into Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), introducing innovative services and advanced systems to the market.

Find out more at: www.uihelicopter.com



About BETA Technologies

BETA Technologies is an aerospace company designing, manufacturing and deploying electric aircraft, advanced electric propulsion systems and charging infrastructure. Headquartered in Vermont, USA, BETA's integrated aviation ecosystem includes the ALIA family of electric aircraft and a growing network of interoperable fast-charging stations designed to support the transition to electric aviation. BETA works with commercial, government and defense customers worldwide to deliver safe, reliable and practical electric flight solutions.

Find out more at: www.beta.team