[DigitalToday reporter Jin-ho Lee] KT is unveiling key technologies to commercialise urban air mobility (UAM), including an AI-based traffic management platform and a 5G aviation network.

KT said on Tuesday it will take part in the 2026 Korea Drone and UAM Expo held at Songdo Convensia in Incheon.

Hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the event introduces future aviation mobility technologies and services under this year's theme, "Drones and UAM: Changing daily life and drawing the future."

As part of the K-UAM One Team, KT is setting up a joint booth with Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Incheon International Airport Corp and Korean Air.

UAM is a next-generation transport mode that quickly connects cities, airports and island areas. Commercialisation requires an integrated operating system covering aviation communications networks, traffic management, information distribution and vertiport operations. Under the theme of "safe UAM," KT is introducing a 5G aviation network, a UAM traffic management AX platform, traffic management simulation and a UAM data hub at the exhibition.

The UAM traffic management AX platform is a system that supports air traffic controllers' decision-making. AI analyses routes, communications and flight-operation data collected via the 5G aviation network in real time to detect early signs of anomalies such as route deviation, abnormal flight and deteriorating communications quality.

It then presents response options by situation, including emergency response, traffic volume adjustment and standard operating procedure recommendations. The system applies a "human-in-the-loop" approach that supports controllers' final decisions rather than having AI conduct control directly.

KT is also showcasing 5G aviation network technology that connects UAM aircraft with traffic management systems. It uses network slicing to prioritise aviation communications quality during flight and, KT said, improves network buildout efficiency with its in-house "SkyPath" antenna.

It also applied dual connectivity technology combining 5G and satellite communications. The technology is intended to maintain communications in areas where ground-based 5G service is difficult or in situations where an aircraft deviates from its flight route.

KT has previously participated in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's K-UAM Grand Challenge Phase 1 and Phase 2 demonstration projects, verifying aviation communications networks, traffic management and information-sharing technologies. In the Phase 2 demonstration, it served as a traffic management operator in an urban environment and verified integrated operating procedures, including normal and abnormal situations. It also completed demonstrations of a communications, navigation and surveillance system based on the 5G aviation network and an information-sharing system.

More recently, it has participated in a public UAM demonstration project in island areas of Incheon, verifying the potential use of UAM in public services such as emergency medical care and travel to island areas.

Won Man-ho (원만호), an executive director and head of KT's AX Platform Division, said, "For UAM to establish itself as a means of transport trusted by the public, not only aircraft but also an integrated operating system, including communications networks, traffic management and information sharing, must be verified together." He said, "We will build a safe UAM ecosystem based on an AI-based traffic management platform and 5G aviation network technology."