SkyGrid and Port San Antonio Partner to Advance AAM Integration at Joint‑Use Airfield

SkyGrid and Port San Antonio have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the digital infrastructure, airspace frameworks, and operational concepts required to support scalable Advanced Air Mobility operations at the Port’s 1,900 acre Tech Port campus. The collaboration focuses on enabling both crewed and uncrewed aircraft operations in a joint use airfield environment, an increasingly important proving ground for next generation aviation systems.

Partnership Targets Digital Airspace, Automation, and Cyber Resilience

SkyGrid, an Advanced Air Mobility Third Party Service Provider, will work with Port San Antonio to assess technical, regulatory, and operational requirements for integrating AAM aircraft into shared airspace. The effort leverages SkyGrid’s expertise in digital airspace services, automation, and operational assurance, combined with the Port’s infrastructure, airspace access, and growing ecosystem of aerospace and defense partners.

The Port has been identified as one of the most ready to scale AAM environments in Texas and nationally. Its ongoing vertiport planning, existing aviation infrastructure, and concentration of technology organizations create a strong foundation for testing and operationalizing AAM concepts.

Collaboration Builds on Boeing’s Longstanding Presence at Port San Antonio

The partnership reflects the broader aerospace footprint at the Port, including Boeing’s major maintenance, modernization, and sustainment operations that support both national security and commercial aviation missions. Wisk Aero has also designated Texas as a launch market for autonomous AAM operations. As a Boeing company and subsidiary of Wisk Aero, SkyGrid brings infrastructure grade digital systems and deep aerospace expertise to support safe integration of autonomous aircraft into regulated airspace.

SkyGrid CEO Jia Xu noted that AAM will only scale if tested in environments that reflect real operational complexity. Kelly Field’s joint use setting and the Port’s infrastructure provide an ideal environment to evaluate digital airspace services and cyber resilient systems.

Joint Work Will Address Key AAM Operational and Regulatory Requirements

Under the MOU, SkyGrid and Port San Antonio will explore a wide range of AAM enabling technologies and frameworks, including:

• Advanced Air Mobility Concepts of Operations for joint use airfields
• New digital flight rules
• Airspace design, routing, and integration with air traffic management
• Low altitude surveillance, micro weather, and digital situational awareness
• AAM service provisions and operational concepts for airports and vertiports
• Communication, navigation, and surveillance systems and cyber resilient infrastructure
• Ground system certification and operational approvals

The collaboration will also evaluate alignment with state and federal initiatives such as future eVTOL Integration Pilot Program proposals and activities supporting national aviation modernization priorities.

Port San Antonio Positions Itself as a Testbed for Future Aviation

Port San Antonio President and CEO Jim Perschbach emphasized that SkyGrid’s focus on digital airspace infrastructure aligns with the operational realities of a joint use airfield. He noted that the partnership validates the Port’s long held view that its campus is uniquely positioned to support the future of aviation.

About SkyGrid

SkyGrid builds high assurance third party services to enable the safe operation and integration of autonomous aircraft. Based in Austin, Texas, the company serves as an operational nexus for Advanced Air Mobility by integrating and managing data, infrastructure, access, and traffic to support scaled operations. SkyGrid is part of Wisk Aero.

About Port San Antonio

Port San Antonio develops and manages Tech Port, a 1,900 acre innovation campus that supports aerospace, defense, cybersecurity, and other strategic industries. Home to more than 80 employers and 19,000 workers, Tech Port generates significant economic impact and provides a platform for technology development, workforce growth, and regional opportunity.