Hyundai Motor Group has announced a major leadership transition at its advanced air mobility (AAM) subsidiary, Supernal. Dr. Jaiwon Shin, CEO of Supernal, LLC and Head of Hyundai Motor Group’s AAM Division, will step down from his roles effective August 31. He will continue supporting the Group in an advisory capacity.
This move comes as Supernal shifts from its early-stage research and development phase toward the next stage: advancing business operations and refining commercial models. Hyundai says the change is designed to “align with the evolving needs of the business” and sharpen its focus on long-term sustainability.
Dr. Shin, who joined Hyundai in 2019 after decades at NASA, was instrumental in establishing the Group’s AAM vision. He became CEO of Supernal when it was launched in the U.S. in 2021. During his tenure, he spearheaded an integrated development strategy that laid the technological groundwork for Hyundai’s future aviation ambitions.
The leadership shake-up underscores the company’s intent to strengthen its operational and commercial pathways at a time when the global AAM industry continues to face challenges, from regulatory readiness and infrastructure bottlenecks to ecosystem maturity. Hyundai emphasizes that these hurdles are part of the natural evolution of a pioneering sector and reiterates its confidence in AAM’s long-term potential.
To ensure business continuity, David Rottblatt, Senior Director of Business Development, will serve as Interim COO of Supernal. The Group is expected to appoint new leadership with deep operational and business development expertise to drive the company into its next phase, with a focus on Urban Air Mobility (UAM) commercialization and eventual first flight milestones.
Industry Reactions Online
The announcement triggered immediate responses within the AAM community:
- Many feel the leadership change comes later than it should have.
- Observers note that the announcement doesn’t fully reflect other executive departures.
- There’s hope for new leadership that can steer the company effectively and bring Supernal to its first flight.
With the sector watching closely, the coming months will reveal whether Hyundai’s reshaped leadership can deliver on the promise of Supernal and carve out a competitive role in the race toward commercial UAM.