The future of flight is becoming a reality in Florida with leaders from across business aviation working to make the state an advanced air mobility (AAM) hub and workforce driver, a panel of experts said at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Miami-Opa locka Regional Forum.
The panelists offered their perspectives as part of NBAA’s 2026 Miami Regional Forum, a powerhouse event held at the city’s Opa Locka Airport (OPF). The forum gathered more than 3,000 attendees and 200+ exhibitors in an exhibiting showcase that filled two hangars and featured more than 20 business aircraft of all types on display.
“Business aviation is about moving people safely, efficiently, flexibly and sustainably,” NBAA CEO and President Ed Bolen said. He pointed to Florida – already known as an aerospace leader – as an example of bold leadership, strategic public-private partnerships and an ambition to usher in the future of flight.
From airspace, to ground systems, to the development of vertiports, “Florida wants to be first,” and the state “is actively investing in next-generation infrastructure, said Kate Inmann, a partner at Holland & Knight. “Florida is very enthusiastic, and wants to lean in. We’re seeing incentives come out for small business wanting to become established in the sector, and people are taking advantage of those,” she said.
The panel noted the Florida Department of Transportation’s focus on developing the infrastructure needed to bring electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to its skies. Miami is aiming to be an AAM hub.
“It’s an exciting time, and it’s going to allow companies like us to invest our time and our capital to build what will be a network of agnostic vertiports to serve this new technology, which will be safe, quiet and able to integrate into places that aviation has never been before,” said panelist Rolando “Roly” Tapanes, VP, Business Development, Vertiports by Atlantic – Southeast Region Atlantic Aviation. “We are getting ready to build a front door for what will be the next stage of aviation.”
The panel described AAM as a “team sport,” requiring coordination among aircraft manufacturers, airport operators, developers, universities, and government agencies.
Speakers were confident that eVTOLs will gain public acceptance when fliers experience the “air taxi” technology firsthand.
Aviation Director and fellow panelist Jamie Ingall spoke to that reality in noting: “The modernization of ATC will help deal with approaches and departures. That’s where it’s going to matter, because the rest of the time AAM aircraft are not going to be operating where traditional aircraft operate. That’s why I believe AAM will integrate very well with legacy operations, because we’re just not going to use the same airspace that the AAM aircraft will use.”
