Florida(FL)
Florida has emerged as the leading competitor to California for AAM dominance, utilizing a "business-first" regulatory environment and significant state funding. As of December 2025, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has integrated AAM into its broader Florida Transportation Plan (FTP), focusing on inter-city connectivity and airport-to-city center links.
Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework
Florida’s strategy is distinguished by massive capital allocation. In late 2025, the state reaffirmed the deployment of a portion of its $4 billion transportation infrastructure surplus toward multi-modal hubs that specifically include eVTOL charging and landing requirements.
- Statewide Vertiport Handbook: FDOT is currently finalizing a standardized handbook for local municipalities to streamline zoning and land-use permits for vertiports.
- Legislative Support: Building on previous sessions, the Florida legislature has prioritized "open-access" infrastructure, ensuring that state-funded vertiports can serve multiple OEMs rather than being exclusive to one manufacturer.
Pilot Programs and Manufacturer Support
Florida is the primary launch site for Archer Aviation, which in December 2025 officially unveiled its Miami Metropolitan Air Taxi Network.
- Regional Corridors: The Archer network will connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach. Key nodes include Hard Rock Stadium and a flagship vertiport in downtown West Palm Beach developed with Related Ross.
- Research and Noise Mitigation: The University of Central Florida (UCF), in partnership with NASA, received a late-2025 grant to study AAM noise footprints at the Ocala International Airport, providing data to help cities refine local noise ordinances.
Strategic Initiatives and Resources
- FDOT Aviation Division: fdot.gov/aviation
- Florida AAM News & Policy: fdot.gov/aviation/aam
Market Hubs in FL
Regional Infrastructure
Orlando Int'l Vertiport (MCO)
Orlando Int'l Vertiport (MCO) Orlando International Airport is currently soliciting developers for a dedicated vertiport on-site. Unlike the city-center hubs, this project is designed for "Regional Air Mobility" (RAM), aiming to connect Orlando to cities like Tampa and West Palm Beach within 45 minutes. While the full commercial launch is slated for 2027–2028, the site planning and power grid upgrades are currently in the final planning stages.
South Florida Air Taxi Network
South Florida Air Taxi Network Archer Aviation, in partnership with Skyports Infrastructure, is developing a high-density regional network connecting Miami International (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and West Palm Beach (PBI). This project includes the development of new vertiports at the Magic City Innovation District and West Palm Beach. The network is designed to support 10–20 minute flights across the metropolitan area, significantly reducing travel time for commuters and tourists. Groundbreaking at key nodes began in late 2025, with operations targeted for late 2026.
SunTrax AAM Test Track
SunTrax AAM Test Track Located in Central Florida, SunTrax is the nation’s first dedicated large-scale AAM test track. While originally built for autonomous cars, Florida has invested $255 million to add two vertiports and dedicated low-altitude airspace. It serves as a neutral ground where manufacturers like Archer and Joby can test takeoff/landing precision and noise profiles in a controlled environment. The first vertiport is nearing completion in early 2026.