The electric aircraft startup Supernal under Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) is relocating its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to California. According to TechCrunch, about 5% of the employees will be reassigned to the 'R&D headquarters' in California. The Hyundai Motor Group is actively positioning itself in the United States, choosing a niche service of operating high-end private electric aircraft in the air, and has confirmed a partnership with Clay Lacy to provide premier clients with a discreet and secure air travel experience.
Supernal will establish its development headquarters in Irvine, California, and its R&D headquarters in Fremont, California. Jaiwon Shin, General Manager of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal, told TechCrunch that this decision aims to enhance communication and collaboration among teams. Supernal's office in Washington, D.C. remains the policy and regulatory center. Currently, Supernal has over 700 employees and is still expanding.
What are the features of Supernal Air Taxi?
Supernal is developing the S-A2 concept electric aircraft capable of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and a clean energy ecosystem. Supernal plans to integrate with existing transportation infrastructure. The Supernal Air Taxi concept aircraft will debut at CES 2024 and is on track to officially take flight in 2028.
Supernal and Clay Lacy collaborate on airport air transportation infrastructure.
On October 22 of this year, Supernal announced a partnership with Clay Lacy Aviation to implement operations for electric aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing at dedicated operational bases. Supernal plans to deliver the first eVTOL S-A2 electric aircraft in 2028, and this collaboration accelerates the goal of enabling private electric aircraft to fly in California.
Supernal and Clay Lacy will develop an end-to-end operational plan, integrating technology into existing airport infrastructure. Clay Lacy is a top-tier private jet service company, offering premium clients private takeoff and landing spots, and is the first fixed-base operator (FBO) in the world recognized by the National Business Aviation Association for sustainable flight development.
Launching electric air taxis faces many challenges, primarily due to unclear regulations governing aerial operations. California has not established any regulations or frameworks to allow air taxis to operate legally. Additionally, aviation must integrate with existing airport facilities, requiring professional personnel to monitor flights, who also need training. Currently, Supernal is collaborating with private aviation service companies to test the waters under unclear regulations and technology, starting with flights around airports in California, paving the way for the future air taxi market in the U.S.
This article discusses Hyundai's Supernal, an electric air taxi under the Hyundai Motor Group, preparing to take off in the United States in 2028, first appearing in Chain News ABMedia.