Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • NASA’s Bob Pearce to headline Farnborough's Global Urban Air Summit

Aerospace Events

NASA’s Bob Pearce to headline Farnborough's Global Urban Air Summit

Farnborough International has today confirmed that NASA’s Bob Pearce, Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Research, will speak at the Global Urban Air Summit, taking place on 3rd to 4th of September at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.


 
Mr Pearce (above) joins participants from Uber, Airbus and Thales for this landmark event which brings together innovators and regulators for the first time to determine how fast–emerging technology is to create a generational shift in air travel.
 
Speaking about the Global Urban Air Summit, François Sillion, Uber's Director of Advanced Technologies Centre in Paris, said: “Uber’s mission is to ignite opportunity by helping the world move. In the 10 years since Uber’s launch, we’ve transformed how cities, freight and food travel, and now we’re looking toward the skies. We are excited to be joining other industry leaders at this summit and helping shape the conversation on the future of on-demand aerial ridesharing."

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

 
Other speakers include Gwen Lighter, CEO and founder of GoFly. Gwen leads a team of more than 3,500 innovators from over 100 countries creating a multitude of personal flying devices, with support from Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, and in excess of 20 aerospace partners. Gwen said:  “There has been incredible investment and interest in the burgeoning urban mobility industry, and we are excited to be at the heart of it.”
 
“The future of transportation will be aerial, and in the next few years we will start to see new technology being put to the test in building the next generation of mobility devices.”
 
Dr Anita Sengupta, Chief Product Officer, Airspace Experience Technologies, is also confirmed. Dr Sengupta said: “At ASX we believe that the future of mobility is affordable, green eVTOL for everyone, elevating people and eliminating traffic.”
 
More speakers are to be announced in the coming weeks. Exhibitors include, among others, Vertical Aerospace, Atkins (SNC Lavalin), Arup Group, innovative architectural firm SMALL (Six Miles Across London), and Aerospace Embedded Solutions.
 
Advertisement
PTC rectangle

The UK’s Department for Transport and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are event partners. Aviation Minister, Liz Sugg, said about the upcoming event: “I look forward to seeing the outcome of this Summit. The UK is a global leader in aviation innovation and developing new forms of transport - from urban air mobility vehicles to small electric aircraft and drones.
 
“Through the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge and Aviation 2050, we are exploring how new technologies will change how we travel and how to safely tap into future opportunities for the UK’s aerospace industry.”
 
Team Defence Information is an event partner and presence from NATS will provide valuable insight on the realities of operating new forms of passenger, military, cargo and medical air transport
 
Simon Ford, Farnborough International’s Assistant Director of Aerospace Events said: “To host organisations including NASA, Uber and Airbus on the same platform as two Government departments and regulatory authorities will make the Global Urban Air Summit unmissable. This event is to determine the future of flight, it will make history and there can be no more appropriate location to host it than Farnborough – the birthplace of aviation.”   
 

Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB
UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

Aerospace

UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

18 February 2026

A new report into the UK’s first airside trial of multiple hydrogen-powered ground support equipment (GSE) has confirmed that hydrogen can be safely and effectively integrated into airport ground operations, whilst setting out a series of essential next steps needed to accelerate hydrogen adoption and decarbonisation across the aviation sector.

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

Aerospace

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

18 February 2026

Integrated energy services partner, Kent, has collaborated with Equilibrion during a successful bid for funding from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) and with that funding for Equilibrion and its partners, Kent is delivering the Pre-Front-End Engineering Design (Pre-FEED) for Eq.flight, an advanced power-to-liquids ...

TEKEVER launches UAS Training School at West Wales Airport

Aerospace

TEKEVER launches UAS Training School at West Wales Airport

18 February 2026

Today, provider of AI-centred uncrewed aerial systems, TEKEVER, has announced the official opening of its new Training School at West Wales Airport.

UK

Aerospace

UK's January air traffic soars into 2026

17 February 2026

January’s UK air traffic increased by 1,725 flights in 2026 versus the previous year, equivalent to a 1% uptick in flights flying in UK airspace.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Responsive Engineering unveils apprentice-built Welding Academy

Aerospace

Responsive Engineering unveils apprentice-built Welding Academy

17 February 2026

Responsive Engineering, the daughter company of Pearson Engineering, marked National Apprenticeship Week with the unveiling of its new Welding Academy, a unique training space built almost entirely by its apprentices using repurposed and recycled materials.

UK pioneers 3D printing of aircraft parts using recycled titanium

Aerospace Defence

UK pioneers 3D printing of aircraft parts using recycled titanium

17 February 2026

QinetiQ, in partnership with Additive Manufacturing Solutions Limited (AMS Ltd.), has completed the maiden flight of an aircraft containing a 3D printed structural component, made from recycled titanium.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB