Wisk Aero Partners With Local Government To Bring AAM To Australia
Source: HAI’s Rotor Daily of 8 June 2022
In brief: Wisk Aero, a leading advanced air mobility (AAM) company and developer of the first all-electric, self-flying air taxi in the United States, is bringing the future of flight to Australia through a new partnership with the Council of Mayors South East Queensland (“Council of Mayors”). In addition to this new partnership, the company will also be expanding its physical presence in the country, with the addition of Australia-based personnel.
Wisk’s entry into Australia is driven by a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council of Mayors, which will see the two organizations working together to introduce safe, sustainable, and scalable, autonomous air taxi service to South East Queensland.
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) was established in 2005 to represent the interests of the fastest growing region in Australia. Representing residents across South East Queensland (SEQ), member Councils work together to tackle the region’s biggest challenges and leverage opportunities to ensure the region is the best possible place to live, work and play. Over the past two decades they have built a reputation of being an action-based organization, delivering innovative and strategic outcomes for the region.
It was reported that on 31 December 2021, member Councils included Brisbane City Council, Ipswich City Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Noosa Council, Redlands City Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Council and Toowoomba Regional Council.
Wisk intends for its presence in Queensland to be long-term, and will be working with local government toward providing the city with green tourism and transport options. The company will also be displaying its 5th generation aircraft in Brisbane in July.
Wisk’s self-flying, eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi, will make it possible for passengers to skip the traffic and get to their destination faster. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area and New Zealand, Wisk is an independent company backed by The Boeing Company and Kitty Hawk Corporation.