eVTOL aircraft developer Wisk and vertiport company Skyports are to determine locations for a vertiport network in South East Queensland, Australia.
The two companies have been collaborating since 2022, and this new agreement will seek to identify opportunities for scale-up of advanced air mobility (AAM) services to complement other transport investments, support tourism and connect communities across the region.
Brisbane is set to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the region is undergoing rapid and extensive development.
“Skyports has already been a strong partner to Wisk, and we are proud to build on the work we’re doing already, this time in Australia,” said Brian Yutko, Wisk CEO. “Wisk is committed to bringing safe, emissions-free aviation to Queensland, and this partnership will get us one step closer to making our goal a reality.”
Wisk and Skyports will analyze regional travel patterns, identify candidate vertiport sites, conduct feasibility studies, and engage with prospective landlords and nearby communities. The project aims to develop a business case to support the development of the necessary vertiport infrastructure.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports said, “We are pleased to publicly announce the work we are undertaking with Wisk to facilitate the launch of AAM services on Australia’s eastern coast. This collaboration will leverage our combined expertise to develop a robust, scalable infrastructure network to enable safe, efficient air taxi services for communities and visitors across the South East Queensland region.”
Scott Smith, CEO of Council of Mayors (SEQ) said, “It’s great to see South East Queensland continue to attract innovative technologies and investment. The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector is an exciting new development for South East Queensland and is expected to contribute over $66 billion to the Australian Economy, or 3.1% of national GDP, by 2040. We’re excited to see this evolving industry bring high-value local jobs to SEQ and support improved services like medical and tourism. To secure our place as a global destination, we must be at the forefront of adopting emerging technologies.”