Upstate New York Partners with Landings to Build North America’s Largest Planned Vertiport Network
Upstate New York is preparing to take a bold step into the future of aviation and advanced mobility. Landings, a pioneering company specializing in infrastructure for heavy-lift drones, air taxis, and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with twelve communities across the Mohawk Valley region to establish what is projected to become the world’s largest planned vertiport network.
The initiative, officially titled the Mohawk Valley Landings Network, represents a significant milestone not only for Upstate New York but also for the broader North American advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem. By combining regional development strategies with cutting-edge aviation technology, the project aims to transform rural transportation, create new economic opportunities, and establish a template for the deployment of vertiport systems across the United States.
A Regional Vision with Global Implications
Heather Devitt, Executive Director of the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, Inc. (MVEDD), underscored the transformative nature of the initiative in her announcement:
“We have identified 12 locations across the Mohawk Valley Region that will become, we believe, the largest planned vertiport network in the world. This network will advance economic development in the Mohawk Valley and put the region at the forefront of this growing technology.”
The twelve locations, strategically distributed across the Mohawk Valley, will serve as the backbone of an interconnected air mobility system. Unlike traditional transportation infrastructure—such as highways or railways—vertiports are designed to accommodate the next generation of electric aviation, providing landing, charging, and takeoff facilities for eVTOL aircraft and other advanced aerial vehicles.
The implications are profound. By building the first large-scale regional vertiport network, the Mohawk Valley could become a national testbed for integrating AAM into local economies, proving that rural and mid-sized communities can lead, not lag, in adopting breakthrough technologies.
Addressing Rural Mobility and Accessibility
While much of the global discussion around air taxis and eVTOLs centers on metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, New York City, or London, the Mohawk Valley project highlights the critical needs of rural and small-town America. Transportation in these areas often suffers from limited connectivity, long travel times to essential services, and vulnerability during emergencies.
The planned vertiports are not merely about convenience or luxury air travel. Instead, they are envisioned as multi-purpose infrastructure hubs with broad social impact:
- Healthcare Access: Air ambulances and eVTOL medical shuttles could dramatically cut the time it takes to transport patients to regional hospitals, saving lives in critical emergencies.
- Disaster Response and Resilience: Heavy-lift drones and eVTOLs could deliver medical supplies, food, or relief equipment to communities isolated by natural disasters such as floods or snowstorms.
- Economic Opportunity: The vertiports are expected to support local businesses by connecting them to larger markets more efficiently. This connectivity could benefit sectors ranging from manufacturing to tourism.
- Time Savings for Residents: Commuters and residents will gain quicker access to regional services, colleges, airports, and job markets that are otherwise a long drive away.
This **dual-purpose model—economic development paired with social utility—**sets the Mohawk Valley Landings Network apart from many urban-focused AAM projects, positioning it as a more inclusive vision of the future of mobility.
Landings’ Role and Long-Term Strategy
At the core of this ambitious initiative is Landings, the company spearheading infrastructure solutions for the rapidly approaching age of electric aviation. Lisa Wright, CEO of Landings, emphasized the importance of reliability, safety, and scalability in the company’s mission:
“As hundreds of thousands of electric aircraft enter service over the next decade, our Landings Certified Vertiport Network™ will safely and reliably connect communities nationwide, transforming the future of mobility.”
Landings’ approach is not limited to designing physical vertiports. The company is also developing standards, certifications, and operational frameworks that will ensure consistency across its network. The Landings Certified Vertiport Network™ is envisioned as a national system, with Mohawk Valley serving as a pioneering model that could be replicated across other regions.
This focus on certification is crucial. For AAM to scale safely, vertiports must be designed to stringent technical and operational standards—ranging from charging capabilities to passenger handling, air traffic integration, and emergency procedures. Landings is positioning itself as the industry leader in establishing those benchmarks.
Building on a Legacy of Innovation
The choice of the Mohawk Valley as the launch site for this project is not coincidental. Upstate New York has a rich history of shaping America’s transportation infrastructure. The most iconic example is the Erie Canal, completed in 1825, which transformed the region into a commercial hub and enabled unprecedented economic growth.
Two centuries later, the Mohawk Valley Landings Network aims to do for the 21st century what the Erie Canal did for the 19th: provide a new artery of connectivity that catalyzes growth and innovation. Instead of canals and waterways, the focus today is on air corridors and vertiports, but the underlying vision—linking communities, accelerating commerce, and improving quality of life—remains remarkably consistent.
By situating this project in a region with deep historical roots in transportation, the partnership taps into a narrative of continuity and progress, ensuring local buy-in and positioning the Mohawk Valley as a national leader once again.
Economic Development and Workforce Impact
Beyond its technological ambitions, the vertiport network promises tangible economic benefits. The construction and operation of vertiports will create new jobs in construction, aviation services, logistics, and maintenance. Local businesses, from hospitality to retail, are expected to benefit from the increased connectivity and visitor traffic.
Moreover, by positioning Upstate New York as a center of AAM innovation, the region could attract new industries and investments. Companies focused on drone technology, battery systems, and autonomous flight software may choose to co-locate near the network, creating an ecosystem of innovation similar to what has been seen in Silicon Valley with tech or in Detroit with the automotive industry.
Educational institutions in the Mohawk Valley may also play a role, developing training programs to prepare students and workers for emerging careers in advanced aviation, engineering, and logistics.
Looking Toward a Coast-to-Coast AAM System
While the Mohawk Valley Landings Network is regional in scope, the long-term vision is national and even global. If successful, the project could serve as a blueprint for rolling out vertiport networks across the United States.
The ultimate goal is the creation of a coast-to-coast advanced air mobility system, with standardized vertiports in cities, suburbs, and rural areas alike. Just as the U.S. Interstate Highway System revolutionized ground transportation in the 20th century, a nationwide network of vertiports could transform how Americans think about time, distance, and accessibility in the 21st.
A Transformative Step for the Future of Mobility
The partnership between Landings and twelve Mohawk Valley communities represents a historic moment for Upstate New York and for advanced air mobility as a whole. By creating the world’s largest planned vertiport network, the region is not only embracing innovation but also addressing real-world challenges in healthcare, disaster response, and rural connectivity.
From its legacy as a transportation pioneer during the Erie Canal era to its bold steps into the electric aviation future, the Mohawk Valley is demonstrating once again that regional leadership can drive national transformation.
As Lisa Wright of Landings noted, the age of electric aviation is rapidly approaching. With this initiative, Upstate New York is ensuring it won’t just be a participant in that future—it will be a leader shaping it from the ground up.