UrbanLink Air Mobility (UrbanLink), a South Florida-based advanced air mobility (AAM) operator, has named Raymond C Sisson as President. Sisson, a seasoned aircraft leasing executive, will focus on raising capital to finance UrbanLink’s initial order for 20 Lilium Jets and the company says will also ""spearhead the creation of an in-house aircraft leasing company to hold UrbanLink’s aircraft orders"".
“Ray is one of the most highly respected aircraft leasing CEOs, and we are delighted he will be leading our team to raise the necessary funding to grow our fleet to 100+ eVTOL aircraft over the next three years,” said Ed Wegel, UrbanLink’s Founder and Chairman. “Ray’s leadership, experience and strong relationships with both aircraft equity and debt providers worldwide make him the ideal choice to develop our own in-house aircraft lessor, which will finance our eVTOL aircraft and provide capabilities to other eVTOL airlines worldwide.”
Sisson has held several high-profile positions in the leasing industry at firms including GE Commercial Aircraft Services (GECAS), SR Technics, and he was CEO of AWAS. More recently, he established an aircraft leasing subsidiary for Credit Suisse. Currently, Sisson is the CEO of Tailwinds Aviation, which has raised $500 million and is in the process of raising an additional $2 billion in equity for commercial aircraft acquisitions.
“I am excited to join UrbanLink as President as we prepare for our first eVTOL deliveries in 18 months,” said Sisson. “To fuel UrbanLink’s growth, our goal is to raise over $1 billion, and I am confident we have the team in place to achieve this.”
UrbanLink aims to lead the entry into service and management of AAM in South Florida, and will expand to other markets, including Los Angeles and the Caribbean.
In May, UrbanLink announced its partnership with eVTOL developer Lilium. As part of the agreement, UrbankLink committed to purchase 20 Lilium Jets, with scheduled pre-delivery payments. UrbanLink states that it will become the first airline in the US to fully commit to integrating eVTOL aircraft into its fleet with entry into revenue service by Summer 2026.
UrbanLink states that it will commence the Part 135 certification process, subject to all FAA and DOT approvals, ""over the next several months"", adding that it has also signed letters of intent with major strategic vertiport developers, ""further solidifying its commitment to advancing the future of air mobility"".