"Who Gets to Fly? – Why Justice Begins Above the City"

We tackle a central question: Who will be part of the new air mobility? And who will be left on the ground? We'll look at why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – or DEI – for Advanced Air Mobility isn't just a nice idea, but a strategic necessity.Stay tuned until the end – I'll give you some reflection questions that might surprise you."

"Imagine it's the year 2035. The sun is setting over Cologne, and quiet air taxis are gliding over the rooftops. They move almost silently, like little points of light in the sky. People get in, traveling quickly and with low emissions from point A to B.But while some sit relaxed in the cabin, others just look up. They know: this new mode of transport isn't meant for them. Maybe because it's too expensive. Maybe because the nearest vertiport is unreachably far away. Maybe because the booking app isn't usable for them.These are exactly the questions that concern me: Who gets a seat? Who is left out? And what does that say about our society? I remember moments when I myself felt like I didn't belong – and that's precisely why I want to talk about this with you today."

"Advanced Air Mobility – meaning air mobility with eVTOLs and air taxis – is more than a technical innovation. It is a space of possibility for societal transformation.

• In rural regions, air taxis could make medical care more quickly accessible.

• In cities, they could bypass traffic jams and create new connections where none existed before

.• For people with limited mobility, they could overcome barriers that classic road traffic often doesn't consider.

But technology is never neutral. It bears the handwriting of its developers and the imprint of its societal contexts. If AAM is developed without targeted measures to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, it risks cementing or even exacerbating existing inequalities.Imagine: Air taxis as status symbols, exclusively bookable on expensive platforms, with take-off and landing pads only in affluent neighborhoods. People with low incomes, with disabilities, or from underrepresented communities would once again be excluded – not due to technical necessity, but due to social neglect.That's why DEI isn't a nice-to-have, but a strategic imperative for the future of AAM. It's about ensuring from the start that all people, regardless of origin, gender, income, or physical abilities, can benefit from the advantages of this new form of mobility.And this is where it gets exciting: Mobility isn't just technology. It's social infrastructure. It decides whether people have access to education, work, and healthcare – or not."

"If you work in city administration, a company, or a project team, ask yourself:

• Are our aircraft accessible for wheelchair users?

• Are there visual and auditory assistance systems for people with visual or hearing impairments?

• Who sits on the boards that decide the future of AAM?

• Are marginalized groups actively involved or only considered as an afterthought?

• Are public subsidies used to enable social participation?• How transparently do we communicate about risks and exclusions?

• Which groups trust our organization – and why not?

• How do we handle criticism and resistance?These questions are like a mirror: They show us whether we are designing air mobility as a luxury product or as a project of participation."

"And now it's your turn. Think:

• Who is missing from your team or project who could bring a different perspective?

• Which groups might be excluded from your AAM solutions – and why?

• What can you do concretely to integrate DEI into your work?

Perhaps you'll discover that the future of flying has less to do with technology – and more with attitude."

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