Journal of Korean Society of Transportation ISSN:1229-1366(Print) 2234-4217(Online) 대한교통학회지

UAM is a new concept of mobility that expands a two-dimensional transportation system to a three-dimensional one using a personal aerial vehicle. Several institutes, including NASA, propose an airport shuttle route between the airport and downtown as a promising early market for UAM service. However, for the success of the UAM service, a competitive pricing policy to convert the existing transportation passengers to UAM users is required. This study estimated the cost of fare for UAM airport shuttle service using Incheon Airport access transportation data and the multinomial logit model(MNL). This study calculated the premium of the UAM shuttle service compared to a taxi service. According to the calculation, the fare range for the UAM shuttle service to attract new passengers is estimated at 96 to 108 USD, adding the premium of 34 to 46 USD. This study also presented that the fare range suggested in this study can be feasible, compared to the fare estimation from Uber (2016), Booz Allen Hamilton (2018), and the MOLIT(2021). However, simultaneously, it doubts whether the cost of fare can guarantee enough demand to secure profitability. Thus, this study also reviewed a suggestion of the operation concept for the UAM service. Designing a dedicated route for the UAM passengers and providing a more convenient CIQ (Custom-Immigration-Quarantine) process, airlines and airport operators can position UAM shuttle service as the fastest access transportation, especially for the time-sensitive passengers purchasing beyond business class tickets. Cooperation and partnership among an airport operator, airlines, and the UAM operator are required to introduce this approach as a premium service for time-sensitive customers. The UAM operator needs to actively incorporate the airport and airlines' motivations to provide premium passengers with better service into the operating concept.