Wisk Aero is expanding its work to kick-start autonomous eVTOL aircraft operations through a new partnership with local officials in Australia. The agreement with the Council of Mayors in South East Queensland is expected to build on work the U.S.-based manufacturer has been doing with stakeholders in New Zealand for several years.
As part of the agreement announced on June 8, Wisk will be adding staff to be based in the Australian state of Queensland. It is preparing to display its fifth-generation Cora eVTOL technology demonstrator in the city of Brisbane during July to build support for longer-term plans to encourage emissions-free tourism and transportation options.
“Strong collaboration between our Councils is critical to ensure the industry understands the needs of our communities,” said Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. “It also enables our Councils to support, wherever possible, a consistent and collaborative approach to things like planning and regulation that will be critical to investment and rollout across our region.”
Brisbane has already been identified as a potential early adopter of eVTOL flights, with some plans hinging on the 2032 Olympic Games that the city will host. Several companies, including Melbourne-based Skyportz, have been making preparations to develop vertiports.
“This new partnership is a great starting point for our expansion across Australasia,” said Wisk’s Asia Pacific regional director Catherine MacGowan. Our work has the potential to accelerate the introduction of emissions-free aviation, help reduce transport-drive carbon emissions, and realize the benefits of advanced air mobility for the Queensland state economy and the wellbeing of its citizens.”
Wisk has been flight testing the two-seat Cora model for several years while working on plans for a larger sixth-generation model. Unlike almost all other eVTOL aircraft developers, its business model is predicated on operations being fully autonomous
