St. Pete Explores Air Taxi Service at Albert Whitted Airport

City task force lays groundwork for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to connect downtown with regional destinations.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The City of St. Petersburg, Florida is preparing for the potential launch of electric 'air taxis' that could one day carry passengers across Tampa Bay in minutes. After nine months of meetings, the city's Advanced Air Mobility Task Force has released recommendations on how Albert Whitted Airport in downtown St. Pete can accommodate this emerging transportation technology, including designating parking areas, installing charging infrastructure, and eventually constructing dedicated vertiports.

Why it matters

St. Pete is positioning itself to be at the forefront of the growing advanced air mobility industry, which could transform regional transportation by offering a faster and potentially more convenient alternative to driving across the bay. As companies around the world race to launch electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, often referred to as 'air taxis,' St. Pete aims to prepare its infrastructure and regulations to support this new form of aviation.

The details

The task force report outlines a phased approach for Albert Whitted Airport to accommodate eVTOL operations. In the short term, the airport would designate parking areas, install electric charging stations, and utilize existing runways for takeoff and landing. Within 4 to 10 years, the city plans to construct at least one dedicated vertiport facility at the airport to handle vertical takeoff and landing. The task force also recommends updating city code to establish a formal approval process for vertiports across St. Petersburg.

  • The first eVTOL aircraft are expected to receive FAA certification within the next one to two years.
  • Within the next three years, the city plans to prepare Albert Whitted Airport to accommodate early eVTOL operations.
  • Within 4 to 10 years, the city plans to construct at least one dedicated vertiport at Albert Whitted Airport.

The players

Albert Whitted Airport

A public-use general aviation airport located on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, serving private planes, corporate aircraft, and flight training operations.

Ed Montanari

Former City Councilmember, retired American Airlines pilot, and Air Force veteran who chaired the city's Advanced Air Mobility Task Force.

Lilium

A German-based aviation company that is building a vertiport in Lake Nona, Florida, expected to open in 2028.

UrbanLink and VertiPorts by Atlantic Aviation

A company aiming to launch a network of fixed-base operators and vertiport sites across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties in the second half of 2027.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Advanced air mobility represents the next transformational chapter of aviation and St. Pete is in the position to lead.”

— Ed Montanari, Chair of the Advanced Air Mobility Task Force (stpeterising.com)

“The city currently has no formal process for approving vertiports. If a building owner wanted to install one tomorrow, there's no application framework in place. One of our recommendations is to update city code to create that approval process.”

— Ed Montanari, Chair of the Advanced Air Mobility Task Force (stpeterising.com)

What’s next

With the final task force report delivered, the next steps, including whether to fund further study and update city code, now rest with St. Petersburg's City Council and mayor.

The takeaway

By proactively preparing its infrastructure and regulations, St. Petersburg is positioning itself to be a leader in the emerging advanced air mobility industry, which could transform regional transportation by offering a faster and more convenient alternative to driving across the bay.