Hyundai Motor Group aims to establish advanced air mobility ecosystem in Indonesia

An electric aircraft concept model made by Supernal that is expected to be introduced in 2028. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nusantara Capital City Authority Monday to cooperate on establishing an advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem in Indonesia.

Nusantara Capital Authority Agency was formed in March as Indonesia is currently working on moving its capital from Jakarta to a new city named Nusantara on the island of Borneo.

Under the agreement, Hyundai will conduct demonstration projects on its air vehicles in Nusantara in the future. Specific details of the projects will be discussed later, Hyundai said.

Indonesia consists of more than 18,000 islands, and has the biggest air market in Southeast Asia. Hyundai anticipates Indonesia’s high level of infrastructure and technology in the air industry will help the company to develop an ecosystem for AAM.

“Implementing advanced air mobility in Nusantara is in line with Nusantara Capital Authority's spirit of being a ‘living laboratory’ in Indonesia, open to creating a culture of new learning, working and lifestyle,” said Bambang Susantono, head of the Capital City Nusantara Authority. “We value Hyundai Motor Group’s cooperation in developing Nusantara as a smart and sustainable city.”

The agreement was signed Monday during the Business 20 summit in Bali with Shin Jai-won, head of AAM at Hyundai Motor, and Susantono in attendance.

Hyundai Motor established Supernal in 2020, a Washington-based urban air mobility company that researches electric vertical take-off and landing, the technology that will allow cars to fly. It is 44.4 percent owned by Hyundai Motor, 33.4 percent by Hyundai Mobis and 22.2 percent by Kia.

Supernal plans to come up with an electric air mobility product for cargo transport by 2026 and for passengers by 2028.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]