New Jersey(NJ)

New Jersey is positioning itself as a critical "connector" state, leveraging its status as the most densely populated state and its proximity to the New York City and Philadelphia markets. As of January 2026, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) are prioritizing the conversion of legacy transportation hubs into a high-frequency regional air mobility network.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework

New Jersey’s strategy is primarily focused on Heliport Modernization. In late 2025, NJDOT began a statewide audit of its 40+ public-use heliports to identify candidates for rapid "electrification."

• The "Gold Coast" Corridor: PANYNJ has accelerated plans to integrate eVTOL landing pads at Newark Liberty International (EWR) and the Jersey City/Hoboken waterfronts, aiming to reduce trans-Hudson tunnel congestion.
• Legislative Action: Following the December 2025 National AAM Strategy, NJ lawmakers are drafting a "Vertiport Readiness Act" for the 2026 session to provide tax credits for developers installing megawatt-level charging systems at transit-oriented development (TOD) sites.

Pilot Programs and Manufacturer Support

New Jersey is focusing on the "commuter-as-a-service" model.

• Blade and United Airlines: Building on their partnership with Archer Aviation, United has identified Newark as a primary hub for its initial 2026 air taxi routes.
• Medical Logistics: Hackensack Meridian Health announced a 2026 pilot program to utilize uncrewed eVTOLs for time-sensitive laboratory specimen transport across its network of North Jersey hospitals.

Strategic Initiatives and Resources

• NJDOT Division of Multimodal Services: nj.gov/transportation/about/panynj
• PANYNJ AAM Planning: panynj.gov/airports/aam