The future of aeromobilities in the light of global disruption

ABSTRACT

The future of airports and aeromobilities looked much different before Covid-19. Being a global growth-sector with a problematic environmental impact, the sector showed little inclination to radically re-think its potential futures. However, the advent of Covid-19 dramatically changed this. This paper is based on a research project related to Airport City Futures that was initiated before Covid-19. This timing, however, has enabled us to see a dramatic change in the assessment of future scenarios. In the paper we present four basic future scenarios that include both utopian and dystopian elements (business as usual, fortress airports, Ecoports, and Smart airports). We explore these on the background of a theoretical framework containing three themes aeromobilities, future scenarios as a methodology, and the epidemic society. The paper thus explores the future of aeromobilities and potential innovations in air space by ‘thinking with' Covid-19. It presents critical reflections on how to democratize the future of aeromobilities in light of global disruption. © 2023 The European Association for the Advancement of the Social Sciences.