Salt Lake City, UT — February 12, 2025 — A new statewide study has identified advanced air mobility (AAM) as a transformative opportunity for Utah’s rural communities, highlighting the potential for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and regional vertiports to expand economic development, improve healthcare access, and strengthen tourism.
The report finds that linking rural towns such as Price to Salt Lake City via eVTOL flights could reduce travel times from two-and-a-half hours by car to under 45 minutes by air. This enhanced connectivity is projected to:
- Boost economic opportunity by expanding access to metropolitan job markets, educational institutions, and business networks.
- Improve healthcare delivery by shortening travel for specialized treatment and enabling faster emergency response.
- Strengthen tourism by creating direct air links from urban centers to rural destinations, broadening visitor access to Utah’s national parks and small-town attractions.
- Create jobs locally through vertiport construction, operations, and supporting industries such as energy, logistics, and hospitality.
“Advanced air mobility represents more than just new aircraft technology,” the study notes. “It represents a chance to revitalize rural airports, anchor new industries, and ensure that small towns are active participants in Utah’s economic future.”
Challenges remain, including the need for regulatory clarity, infrastructure investment, and robust community engagement. However, Utah’s proactive approach places it among the leading states preparing for this next generation of air transportation.
For communities like Price and other rural towns, the promise of AAM is not only about faster travel, but also about greater resilience, equity, and long-term growth.