International & Industry Signals Shaping the Next Phase of AAM
- Aaron Thelenwood
- Nov 18, 2025
- 2 min read
Around the world, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is moving from demonstration to deployment. While Michigan is deliberately building its own readiness foundation, international progress provides a useful sense of where the industry is heading — and what elements Michigan’s airports, agencies, and partners should keep in view as statewide activity grows.
1. Global Regulators Are Setting the Pace
Regulators in Europe, Asia, and South America continue to move quickly on AAM frameworks. Their progress offers insights into how certification, U-Space/UTM systems, and BVLOS operations may unfold in the U.S.
EASA: U-Space deployments, Remote ID, automated separation — https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/u-space
Japan (JCAB): AAM corridor development tied to Osaka–Kansai Expo — https://www.mlit.go.jp/en/koku/index.html
Brazil (ANAC): Rapid progress on eVTOL certification — https://www.gov.br/anac/en
These foundational regulatory steps abroad mirror areas where Michigan is already beginning to focus — safety, regulatory literacy, and early operational governance.
2. International Corridors Are Already Operational
Countries including Singapore, UAE, South Korea, and Australia are deploying real-world AAM and drone logistics corridors. These missions typically combine BVLOS routing, public-safety use cases, structured data-sharing, and tight integration with existing aviation systems.
Many of these missions — medical transport, rural logistics, coastal operations, environmental monitoring — reflect the types of use cases Michigan is already exploring through agency pilots, regional planning efforts, and the AAM Statewide Mobility Challenges.
3. Industry Trends Show a Market Moving Toward Scale
Across OEMs, infrastructure providers, and operators, several broad signals stand out: certification pathways are tightening, digital infrastructure is becoming more integrated, and partnerships across healthcare, energy, public safety, and aviation are expanding.
These trends complement the direction emerging within Michigan — increased emphasis on digital infrastructure, operational coordination, and strong public-private partnerships.
4. Electrification Is Becoming a Global Priority
Electric aviation infrastructure is advancing alongside AAM deployments, particularly in Europe and South America. Efforts include regional charging networks, grid and load-management coordination, and resilient renewable-powered hubs.
Michigan’s early deployments at LAN, TVC, YIP, and BIV — along with GRR’s FLITE testbed — place the state ahead of much of the U.S. on electric aviation readiness and reflect broader global trends.
5. What These Signals Suggest for Michigan
Across all these developments, one theme is consistent: AAM is moving into more structured, operational phases internationally. Global markets are emphasizing safety, data governance, electrification, corridor design, and multi-agency integration — the same areas where Michigan is building momentum.
Michigan is aligned with where the AAM ecosystem is heading. The opportunity now is to deepen internal understanding, strengthen partnerships, and stay engaged as federal and state programs expand.
Published November 18th, 2025
By: Aaron Thelenwood, Founder
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