The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said yesterday that it is exploring opportunities for revenue increase and hub optimization from the evolving special landing facilities for urban air mobility , which is already gaining traction in the global aviation eco-system called “Vertiport “.

A vertiport is a designated area for the takeoff, landing, and servicing of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, including air taxis, drones, and other electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles.

It functions as a modern-day helipad specifically for VTOLs and can be part of a larger verti-hub, particularly in areas with high air traffic.

Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku , who disclosed this while making a presentation at the 5th International Drone Technology Conference and Expo (DRONETECX 2025), in Lagos said many authorities are looking at a special landing and takeoff system for this smaller aircraft, noting that future operational protocols are still being developed for the value chain.

Speaking through the Director of Special Duties, Mr Henry Agbebire, Kuku said global airports are beginning to take this matter seriously in their design and redesign to have a comprehensive handling capacity for the Advance Air Mobility (AAM), as Vertiport is presenting an interesting option for airports worldwide.

She said: “I am happy that DRONETECX request that we in Nigeria begin to look at the optional option also, as the nature of Nigeria’s geographic spread and the size may require more than conventional aviation to close the gap in air transportation reach.

Kuku said:” It (vertiport) functions as a modern-day helipad specifically for VTOLs and can be part of a larger verti-hub, particularly in areas with high air traffic.

“To understand the future role of airport managers in the era of vertiports, we must grasp the differences and their applications within the air transport mix. Vertiports are specifically designed for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. “Conversely, airports primarily handle aircraft that take off and land horizontally. Vertiports are often envisioned as part of urban mobility hubs, providing a more compact and flexible infrastructure option for urban air travel. In contrast, airports are larger facilities equipped with runways and associated infrastructure for long-distance air travel and cargo.

“This form of transportation, which is drone-enabled, is complex and is still being studied for interoperability, control, and regulation for safety and security. Drone-enabled transport is believed to present a cheap alternative to flying and will close existing transportation inclusion gaps. This potential is made possible by the growth of electric vertical landing aircraft, e-volt, which is predicted to dominate future airspace.

“Vertiports will not replace airport facilities but will serve as complementary elements. In the future, airports will utilise vertiports as spoke locations for hub optimisation and increased revenue potential. I believe airports will consider this moving forward. We will continue to monitor the developments, and airports will react accordingly to services regarding the land location for embarking or disembarking aircraft.”

Speaking at the event, Convener / Chairman DRONETEC, Mr Fortune Idu said the use of drones is growing astronomically and will offer an advanced form of air transportation, which will be safer and more available as advanced air mobility.

He said: “In the next ten years, drones will begin to solve the problem of urban vehicular traffic congestion by taking people to the sky as taxis. ICAO is doing all the regular framework to make this happen sooner than you think. All nations are expected to begin to create national development solutions and roadmaps for the future of drones.

“The national dialogue for the national roadmap for drones advancement will continue . Our regulation cannot take firm hold of such a fast moving industry if no national plan or policy framework creates ambition of what and how the nation will key into this global development.

“I call on the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to begin this process. I hope the ministry will find space for this policy in its agenda for aviation transformation. At DRONETECX , we have assembled a group of interested persons and companies supporting this process under the Nigeria Drone Enabled Group as an advocacy platform for the safe , secure , economic and responsible advancement of drone technology in Nigeria and Africa. This will promote DRONE 4 GOOD initiatives and the Drone for humanitarian purposes.”