- Skyports and Wisk Aero are partnering to create an autonomous air taxis network in South East Queensland, Australia.
- The project will enhance transport infrastructure, boost tourism, and improve community connectivity before the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
- The initiative could contribute over $66 billion to the local economy by 2040 and create high-value jobs.
Automated air taxis are here: Skyports and Wisk Aero are developing this pioneering new industry
Skyports Infrastructure and Wisk Aero partner to create a network for autonomous air taxis in South East Queensland (SEQ), Australia. Skyports is a leader in vertiport infrastructure, and Wisk pioneered the first all-electric, self-flying air taxi in the US. The partnership further piggybacks off of Skyport’s UK deal with Bicester Motion.
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.”
Brian Yutko, Wisk CEO, added:
“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. 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.”
This new agreement builds on their 2022 collaboration. That was the first of its kind between a vertiport developer-operator and an autonomous eVTOL developer. Wisk has also been working with the Council of Mayors (SEQ) to introduce sustainable air taxi services to the region.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, said:
“We’re 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.”
SEQ is on the cusp of significant growth. The population is projected to jump from 4 million to 6 million within the next two decades. This boom is fueled by developments for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Skyports-Wisk partnership aims to explore opportunities for advanced air mobility services. These services will enhance transport infrastructure, boost tourism, and improve community connectivity.
This is a unique opportunity to improve connectivity in remote areas, as found in spades across Australia. The development could re-shape the transport infrastructure for the entire country from the ground up, or, from the sky…
