Veriports in the Caribbean - the hurricane factor

Aviation strategist ir Damien Richardson has been a regular at CARIBAVIA over the years. He splits his time between St Barths and St Martin (the French Island) and is most excited about a new architectural project which had CARIBAVIA delegates agog with interest.

He has been working on it for a couple of years and listening to him, it’s clear the project makes complete sense for regions like the Caribbean, where you can pretty much set your calendar for hurricanes.

Working alongside the aerospace team at Delft Technical University, in The Netherlands, it started with research in Dubai - most likely first mover to embrace eVTOL transport - where emergency escape pods accommodate drones from high rise buildings.

Based on this concept, he envisages a futuristic world where small vertiport pods could literally pop out (of the sides of) tall buildings where eVTOLs can be deployed for humanitarian and emergency relief. It sounds like something out of a Mission Impossible or James Bond movie, but consider the high value asset of eVTOLs and it makes sense they are protected until needed for emergency missions.

We are in the Hurricane belt, Richardson told delegates, sharing his vision for a tri-island vertiport network - he is calling it Ultralux - that could swiftly link St Barth, Nevis and Barbuda. eVTOL aircraft could play a valuable role swiftly moving people and supplies before and post hurricanes and storms, he highlighted. In the case of the Caribbean the vertiports would be ground level – the eVTOLs housed, securely underground.

This is about building a solution/infrastructure that keeps people safe and allows continuity during a crisis, explained Richardson. The pod system that protects eVTOL fleets locally can be activated to deliver aid, evacuate citizens and help get Islands move again, as soon as possible.

Every year we can be certain of several hurricanes - whether they come in our direction, or not. But if we are going to embrace next gen aviation let’s think about how they could get involved. It’s preparedness. This design can protect your asset and most importantly, give back to the community, implored Richardson.

Millions of dollars are being invested in eVTOL technology. It’s equally important to have supportive infrastructure too - and for the Caribbean that means training local people, preparing them for acts of nature, systems that can help survive a storm - it’s not just selling tickets, winning hearts and minds to fly something that is new, alternative powered.

Giving while building is important, he told CARIBAVIA. The acceptance of new technology isn’t an obstacle, it’s inclusive implementation.

Richardson is enthused to hear from investors, technology partners, government support and alliances who share his vision as he furthers the project along.

Contact for interest: +1 (721) 526-0139

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 7th August 2025 | Issue #807