An agreement has been signed to bring eVTOLs to Archerfield Airport, Queensland.
A Strategic Alliance agreement between Archerfield Airport Corporation (AAC) and Wisk Aero will embark on a variety of projects aimed at developing the AAM ecosystem and operations at Archerfield.
Launching this partnership is an electrification project that will determine the electrical and infrastructure requirements and facilities needed to support eVTOL operations at the airport.
AAC Executive General Manager Rod Parry said the airport was uniquely well-placed to service the emerging AAM sector, “Archerfield’s central location only 11 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD and between three 2032 Olympic and Paralympic zones, along with its recent $20 million infrastructure upgrade and critical mass of aeronautical expertise, positions it perfectly to become a primary node in the AAM ecosystem, providing the facilities for eVTOL recharging, maintenance and other services.
“By the time of Brisbane’s Olympic Games, eVTOLs will likely be providing essential emissions-free transport services from vertiports around the region, keeping traffic off our busy roads and ensuring the efficient transfer of personnel to key sites throughout South East Queensland.”
Mr Parry said the Strategic Alliance Agreement with Wisk Aero was a “back-to-the-future moment” for the historic airport, “Archerfield was at the forefront of aviation technology in the 1930s when the industry transformed Australia.
“Archerfield Airport will be back at the cusp of innovation through the adoption of AAM, delivering fast, safe, quiet, eco-friendly, ondemand aviation alternatives adaptable to a wide range of applications that will be vital as Queensland continues to grow rapidly.”
“Wisk is committed to bringing safe, sustainable and scalable autonomous air taxis to South East Queensland,” Dan Parsons, Manager of Market Development at Wisk, said. “Archerfield is at the forefront of facilitating the AAM ecosystem within Brisbane and we’re excited to partner to evaluate potential future Wisk operations and airspace integration at their site, one of the major private airports in the region.”
Wisk Aero’s Generation 6 aircraft is believed to be the world’s first all-electric, autonomous, four-seat eVTOL aircraft designed for passenger transport.
Having conducted more than 1,750 eVTOL test flights, Wisk Aero is pioneering the future of urban travel and daily commutes, focusing on safety and sustainability to deliver safe, autonomous, all-electric, everyday flights for everyone.
