Korean Air Unveils Massive UAM R&D Project

Korean Air has announced plans to invest KRW 1.2 trillion in the creation of a new Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Aviation Safety R&D Centre in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. The project, unveiled at a signing ceremony on April 30, represents a significant milestone in the airline’s strategy to lead innovation in next-generation mobility and aerospace technologies.

Spanning over 65,800 square meters, the new centre is expected to begin construction in 2027 and become operational by May 2030. It will accommodate more than 1,000 researchers and instructors and focus on three primary areas: unmanned aerial vehicle research, advanced pilot training, and safety education.

The facility will feature an AI-driven UAV Research Centre, a Flight Training Centre with expanded simulator capacity to train up to 21,600 pilots annually, and a Safety Experience Centre for hands-on industrial safety training. It also supports Korean Air’s ongoing integration with Asiana Airlines and is designed to strengthen the combined carrier’s long-term infrastructure.