Speaker Details

César Nava
Aena

César Nava

César is an aeronautical technical engineer with a master's and PhD in aerospace sciences and technologies. He currently works as a project manager in the airport sector for Aena, leading R&D projects and supporting the implementation of the company's strategic innovation plans. He has participated in multiple airport projects in Spain and around the world. Regarding the AAM framework, he leads a team in the EUREKA and OPERA projects that aim to develop solutions for vertiport integration.
Day - 2 - Advanced air mobility (AAM), vertiports and infrastructure - 16:30 - 17:00

Vertiport integration and innovative air mobility challenges

Airports have been the key gateways for intercity travelers. Likewise, vertiports will be the primary gateway for innovative air mobility (IAM). Currently, Aena is involved in multiple European initiatives to explore the technical, operational and business potential of integrating advanced air mobility into its airports. Test flights will be conducted in 2025 and 2026 (Eureka: Palma de Mallorca – Menorca; Opera: Malaga – Granada). During this presentation, the audience will learn about the IAM integration in the airport environment and the main challenges: stand/reg needs, business model of IAM, infrastructure and planning, public acceptance, balance airport capacity, and others.

The audience will learn:

  • IAM integration and current challenges for vertiport infrastructures
  • Current IAM projects in Europe – solutions proposed and expectations
  • Airport operator's point of view on IAM integration in an airport environment


Day - 2 - Advanced air mobility (AAM), vertiports and infrastructure - 09:00 - 17:30

Success stories: vertiport tests in Europe and LATAM

This presentation will cover the company's experiences, test flights, lessons learned, SESAR projects (such as EUREKA, U-ELCOME and PRIAM) and real use cases in vertiport and drone operations in the airport environment (Guanacaste Airport (LIR) with Vinci – Coriport group, Reserva Conchal heliport with Marriott Group, INTA aerodrome in Rozas and ATLAS Center in Villacarrillo). The EH216 passenger eVTOL and the company's advanced vertiport control solution will be featured.

The audience will learn:

  • Vertiport operations with advanced control solutions: UTM, meteorology, 4G coverage, GNSS
  • Passenger and cargo eVTOL flight tests
  • Innovative air mobility SESAR3 projects outcomes
  • AAM emergency procedures