The first demonstration flight of Italy’s new Regional Air Mobility (RAM) model has taken off, linking Fano with Rome Urbe Airport. This initiative is designed to create a flexible, smart, and extensive national network that integrates regional territories with other transport systems. The flight was operated using a 9-seat King Air B200 aircraft, noted as a pet-friendly carrier, connecting the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts.
The National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), which conducted the flight, stated that regional air mobility represents a new frontier for air transport. It will enable not only business aviation and flight schools but also affordable services for a broader public. This is made possible by lower operating costs, driven by technological innovation in new-generation aircraft and an innovative business model introduced by ENAC.
According to ENAC Director General Alexander D’Orsogna, this new model allows for efficient connections, particularly across Italy’s transverse routes. For instance, the flight from Fano to Rome Urbe takes under 50 minutes—a significant reduction from the nearly four hours required by ground transport.
ENAC considers this demonstration the first step toward a nationwide short-haul network. Through its subsidiary ENAC Servizi, which manages 21 airports in strategic locations across the country—including a heliport on the island of Capri—the authority aims to expand this integrated system.
ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma highlighted that substantial investment plans are underway to make these airports attractive and resilient. He added that this new paradigm will enable intermodal air/air travel scenarios, offering access to destinations often underserved by traditional mass transportation systems.