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NextGen Aviation Pathfinder: Post-Event Report

Overview


The inaugural NextGen Aviation Pathfinder Roundtable was held on May 8, 2025, bringing together a dynamic cross-section of stakeholders from the aviation, energy, infrastructure, and investment communities. The goal: to explore the next steps in establishing a viable, low-emission Regional Air Mobility (RAM) network in the UK.


The meeting represented a pivotal moment for the future of domestic aviation. It confirmed a shared appetite to redefine regional air travel—one that is affordable, flexible, streamlined, and emissions-free, while promoting social mobility, energy resilience, and regional economic growth.



Key Themes & Discussion Points


1. Making RAM Bankable

  • Investors need clearer financial models, route strategies, and usage demand.

  • New propulsion systems must be paired with new service models—multi-modal, on-demand, and efficient.

  • Strong interest in exploring public-private partnerships, including input from devolved governments.


2. Fuel Flexibility & Technology Readiness

  • Debates around SAF, hydrogen, battery-electric, and methanol suggested that a fuel-agnostic approach may be the most pragmatic path forward.

  • Opportunities exist in moving toward hybrid and one-engine models, adapting the Toyota Prius mindset to aviation.


3. The Socio-Economic Case for RAM

  • RAM can act as a tool for levelling up, creating better access to work, healthcare, and leisure.

  • Government engagement is needed to position RAM as a catalyst for jobs, investment, and connectivity.


4. Airports as Energy Hubs

  • Regional airports could evolve into energy-generating assets, integrating renewables and SMRs for off-grid operations.

  • Discussions highlighted business models for Energy-as-a-Service, with airports generating and selling excess power.


5. Integration and Infrastructure

  • The future RAM model must be multi-modal and tech-enabled.

  • Challenges include retrofitting existing airfields, designing new terminals for short-haul shuttle-style models, and addressing long-term energy and planning constraints.


6. Urgency of Unified Voice and Industry Collaboration

  • There is currently no coordinated, tech-agnostic voice for RAM in the UK.

  • Participants agreed to form a new alliance that will champion RAM across regions and governments.


Next Steps

  • Formation of a NextGen Aviation Alliance to represent the RAM sector.

  • Development of a Project Development Taskfinder to map viable routes, airfields, and investment opportunities.

  • Ongoing dialogue with regional leaders, infrastructure bodies, and investors.

  • A follow-up event is planned to align project stakeholders and present early-stage project pipelines.


Conclusion

The Pathfinder event demonstrated that while challenges remain, the opportunity for RAM in the UK is substantial. There is growing consensus that the UK must act now to lead in regional aviation innovation. By aligning infrastructure, fuel, energy, and transport under a single, strategic vision, the industry can build a system that flies more, emits less, and connects better.

 
 
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