PRESS RELEASE: Wingbits and Korean Air Collaborate on Data for AAM Airspace Integration Research

In its first collaboration with Wingbits, a Swedish technology company executing the project, Korean Air’s R&D Center will gain access to real-time flight-tracking data spanning three continents to advance airspace integration research in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN. Tuesday 23rd 8am Korean Standard Time, 2025: Korean Air, South Korea’s largest flag carrier, has entered into a research cooperation agreement with Stockholm-based flight tracking company Wingbits. The collaboration will support the development, research and testing of ACROSS (Air Control and Routing Orchestrated Skyway System), Korean Air R&D’s in-house Integrated Air Traffic Control and Routing Coordination System.

The agreement provides Korean Air’s R&D Center with access to real-time flight-tracking data to advance airspace integration research for Advanced Air Mobility(AAM). This also contributes to the airline’s research and development of urban air mobility technologies and unmanned aircraft, highlighting Korean Air’s commitment to furthering South Korea’s position as a global leader in aviation technology. 

Wingbits will provide Korean Air’s R&D Center with high-quality, real-time ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) data covering the Incheon Flight Information Region, and portions of North America and Europe. This data will support the next phase of ACROSS development, testing, and operational surveillance for R&D activities.

Wingbits' flight tracking network rewards contributors for transmitting  ADS-B data using the industry’s first dedicated encrypted hardware, designed to be the most accurate, reliable and secure globally. The startup is the fastest growing network in history, in its first year already achieving 80% global coverage with more than 4500 active stations, tracking 150,000 flights daily and expanding their global coverage across North America, Europe, APAC, the Middle East and Africa. Wingbits raised $9M+ in funding last year, backed by the likes of Antler, and co-launched a satellite via SpaceX's Transporter-13 mission in March. 

This cooperation represents a significant step forward in flight tracking research and development, with Korean Air R&D and Wingbits collaborating to shape the future of air mobility and integrated airspace management. 

The cooperation underscores the growing importance of high-quality surveillance data in advancing airspace research. By teaming up with Korean Air’s R&D Center, Wingbits is furthering its mission to promote more rigorous and extensive practices in aircraft tracking. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for Wingbits, who are committed to working with aviation industry   stakeholders to improve and promote higher standards in global aviation data.

Robin Wingårdh, CEO and Co-Founder of Wingbits, comments: “Everything we do at Wingbits is geared towards creating a safer, more secure system for aviation data for the purpose of supporting the aviation industry. That’s why we’re so excited about this agreement with Korean Air’s R&D Center, which represents the highest levels of aviation research at one of the world’s most prestigious airlines. Using Wingbits data, The Center will continue its work developing and researching ways to strengthen the foundation for advancing next-generation air mobility solutions that prioritize safety, efficiency, and innovation in an increasingly complex global airspace.”

KwangOh Moon, Principal Researcher AAM, Korean Air R&D Center, comments: “Precise, secure, real-time data is foundational to our work. We chose to cooperate with Wingibits to integrate their data network into our R&D activities, specifically to enhance the global capabilities of our ACROSS platform. This collaboration will help us produce world-class outcomes in airspace integration research, and we look forward to our mutual success.”

About Wingbits

Founded in 2023 by Robin Wingårdh (CEO) and Alex Lungu (CTO), Stockholm-based Wingbits is the first incentive-based aircraft tracking network, rewarding its users for the quality data they contribute. Using custom hardware strategically placed across its global network, Wingbits’ cryptographically secure, provably accurate data contributes to the safety, efficiency and transparency of airspace management. The company has raised over $9M to date from investors Borderless Capital, Bullish Capital, Tribe Capital and Antler, among others. 

About Korean Air R&D Center

Korean Air’s R&D Center, part of the Aerospace Division, conducts cutting-edge research and development in diverse fields such as unmanned aerial vehicle design and development, satellite structure design, military aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) projects, and aviation IT system development.

In the field of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), the Center focuses on the design and deployment of systems that enable the effective operation of next-generation aircraft platforms, such as eVTOL. It is also developing its in‑house ACROSS (Air Control And Routing Orchestrated Skyway System), a UAM traffic management and operations control solution that integrates command and control for low‑altitude aircraft, supports real‑time monitoring of position, speed, and routes, and enables scalable airspace integration for future UAM services.

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