Ready for Take-Off: Proposed Bill Paves The Way for Vertiport P3s

The emergence of advanced air mobility (AAM) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial air taxi service is no longer a fictionalized cartoon concept made popular by The Jetsons—it is here and arriving at state capitols. The Florida Legislature is positioning itself at the forefront of this emerging industry through two companion bills, HB 1093 and SB 1362, which recently cleared committee hurdles during the 2026 session. For public-private partnership (P3) attorneys and developers, these bills represent a significant opening for infrastructure investment in the vertiport space.

The proposed legislation expands the state's definition of "airport infrastructure" to encompass vertiport elements, bringing these facilities under the existing regulatory and funding frameworks that support traditional aviation infrastructure. The legislation also grants the Florida Department of Transportation additional powers to support vertiport projects, signaling the state's intention to actively facilitate vertiports as a transportation infrastructure category. 

Perhaps most significantly for the P3 community, both HB 1093 and SB 1362 add "vertiports and charging systems" to the definitions of qualifying P3 projects under Florida law. This inclusion is crucial because it allows developers to access the established P3 procurement and financing mechanisms that have proven successful for highways, bridges, and other P3 projects throughout the State of Florida.

Although the global vertiport market is in an early stage of development, it is rapidly evolving, with particular focus on the need for strategic partnerships with government entities to support the construction of “vertipads” (smaller scale vertical landing pads) and their specialized charging systems, particularly on urban rooftops and parking garages. In the United States, several municipalities and private developers, such as the global transportation infrastructure firm Ferrovial, have announced vertiport initiatives. For its part, Miami-Dade County included an eVTOL component as part of its procurement for the $10 billion, 17-acre Metro Center redevelopment project in downtown Miami, but removed the eVTOL element during the procurement process, presumably to prioritize the County’s other infrastructure needs in downtown Miami. 

Internationally, projects in Dubai, Singapore, and various European cities are advancing. In Dubai, for example, construction of eVTOL facilities is well underway, and Uber and Joby Aviation recently announced that they expect all-electric air taxi service to commence operations in 2026. These early projects will help inform Florida’s approach

Although much work remains to be done to create a comprehensive regulatory framework that harmonizes FAA regulations, local zoning regulations, transportation policy, and addresses community concerns such as those relating to noise mitigation, the proposed bill is a necessary first step for the emerging vertiport asset class to take flight. We will continue to monitor HB 1093 and SB 1362 as the bills progress through the Florida Legislature and provide updates on their implications for the P3 community.