Massachusetts(MA)

Massachusetts is leveraging its world-class research ecosystem and complex geography—specifically its island communities and coastal regions—to lead in Regional Air Mobility (RAM). As of January 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division is executing its 2026–2030 Capital Investment Plan (CIP), which for the first time integrates AAM as a core component of the state’s multimodal transportation strategy.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework

The state's strategy focuses on "hub-and-spoke" connectivity. MassDOT is prioritizing the electrification of its 35 public-use airports to support zero-emission regional travel.

• Capital Investment Plan (SFY 2026): The current CIP, effective July 2025, allocates funding for the installation of universal electric aircraft charging stations at key gateway airports, including Logan International (BOS) and Worcester Regional (ORH).
• Municipal Planning Grants: In late 2025, MassDOT launched a technical assistance program for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to help cities like Boston and Cambridge incorporate vertiport zoning into their 2026-2030 long-range plans.

Pilot Programs and Manufacturer Support

Massachusetts is a primary site for testing cold-weather battery performance and over-water autonomous flight.

• Island Connectivity Pilot: A 2026 pilot program is in development to connect the mainland to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket using hybrid-electric aircraft, aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of essential cargo and passenger transport.
• Medical Flight Corridors: MassDOT is collaborating with the Longwood Medical Area to study "roof-to-roof" organ and specimen transport, utilizing the state's existing heliport network as a blueprint for early vertiport nodes.

Strategic Initiatives and Resources

• MassDOT Aeronautics Division: mass.gov/orgs/massdot-aeronautics-division
• 2026-2030 Capital Investment Plan: mass.gov/info-details/current-capital-investment-plan-cip