Source: Lilium
(News and editorials. Not to be construed as investment advice.) It was a big season for publicly traded advanced air mobility companies. The Chinese manufacturer EHang went public at the beginning of the game and hit the Nasdaq (NASDAQ: EH) on September 19, 2019: But this year they got some company. US-based Joby Aviation went public last month and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on August 11, 2021. (NYSE: JOBY) German company Lilium began trading on Nasdaq on September 15, 2021. (NASDAQ: LILM). The American Archer rang the opening bell in NY today, September 20, 2021 when they entered the New York Stock Exchange. (NYSE: ACHR)
This is not an exhaustive list. Larger, already listed companies such as Hyundai (OTCMKTS: HYMTF) are also developing in the industry: many more are investing in progressive aviation companies. Whether you call them Urban Air Mobility Vehicles, Passenger Drones (although most current vehicles are designed for occupation, at least until automated operation is legal), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions, Advanced Air Vehicles (AAV), Passenger Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) or something else, the growth of environmentally friendly mobility solutions in the air is simply breathtaking.
Unsurprisingly, the list of publicly traded Advanced Air Mobility companies is growing too. The stock market is not always right, but neither is it particularly patient. The public funding shows that at least investment companies see advanced air mobility solutions as a reality sooner rather than later.
This view is shared by the FAA and other aviation authorities around the world. In a keynote address at the Commercial UAV Expo earlier this month, Chief Administrator Steve Dickson said urban air mobility was only a few years away. In South Korea, authorities are tracking demonstration flights and preparing communities for urban air mobility. In Japan, the airspace authorities are creating a framework to support progressive air mobility regulations.
The need is clear. In a world where road transport is stifling economic growth and contributing to pollution and global warming, shifting traffic into the air for public or private transportation – with greener vehicles – is an attractive solution to an increasingly pressing problem. Publicly traded advanced air mobility companies get the funding they need to develop, test and certify vehicles. Next, industry watchers can expect contributing actors like unmanned traffic management solutions and infrastructure companies to grow rapidly as well.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional marketplace for drone services, and a passionate observer of the emerging drone industry and regulatory environment for drones. Author of over 3,000 articles focusing on the commercial drone space, Miriam is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam graduated from the University of Chicago and has over 20 years experience in high-tech sales and marketing for emerging technologies.
For advice or writing in the drone industry, email Miriam.
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