Photo: Wisk Aero
The 2032 Olympics seem far away, but time is of the essence when it comes to implementing and launching an entirely new way to travel for those who will be in Brisbane at the time of this event. One of the most iconic airports worldwide, Archerfield Airport, is already starting to gear up for future air taxi operations in collaboration with Wisk Aero.
Archerfield is Australia's first international airport, with roots dating back to the ‘9030s. This has been a milestone year for the iconic airport, with a massive infrastructure upgrade taking it to a whole new level of efficiency. It now sports, among other new features, the largest-ever hangar complex and the biggest warehouse built on its premises. This month, Archerfield was also officially recognized as the 2024 Metropolitan Airport of the Year at the Australian Airports Association's National Airport Industry Awards.
On top of that, the historic airport is preparing to integrate AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) operations with the help of San Francisco-based Wisk Aero. The goal is to have electric air taxis up and running by 2032 when Brisbane is set to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archerfield is a short distance away from Brisbane, and it will act as a strategic transport node between three Olympic zones. By then, Brisbane residents and incoming tourists should have access to a well-established vertiport network and Wisk air taxis.
The first step, following a Strategic Alliance Agreement recently signed by the two, is to set up the electrical and infrastructure network designed to support air taxi operations. This includes aircraft recharging, maintenance, and everything else related to eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) operations. Like several other major airports, Archerfield is adapting to the realities of a new era in air mobility, where electric propulsion plays an important part.
Wisk's Aussie expansion began in 2022, when the US eVTOL maker entered a partnership with the South East Queensland Council of Mayors (COMSEQ). The following year, they jointly launched a white paper called "Bringing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to Australia," which highlighted some of the steps that the local authorities and industries need to take in order to support future eVTOL operations.
This month's agreement between Wisk and Archerfield is a huge step for AAM in South East Queensland, one that will help people travel faster and more efficiently while minimizing the environmental impact.
Wisk's Generation 6 aircraft combines a lift plus lift/cruise configuration with autonomous flight capabilities.Designed to comfortably transport four passengers, it can easily cover up to 90 miles (144 km) at 110 knots (126.5 mph/203 kph). In addition to the all-electric propulsion with zero emissions, the Wisk Gen 6 eVTOL offers the benefit of safe autonomous flight. Ground-based human supervision and autonomy in the air are merged in a safer form of autonomy with human oversight.
On top of that, the historic airport is preparing to integrate AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) operations with the help of San Francisco-based Wisk Aero. The goal is to have electric air taxis up and running by 2032 when Brisbane is set to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archerfield is a short distance away from Brisbane, and it will act as a strategic transport node between three Olympic zones. By then, Brisbane residents and incoming tourists should have access to a well-established vertiport network and Wisk air taxis.
The first step, following a Strategic Alliance Agreement recently signed by the two, is to set up the electrical and infrastructure network designed to support air taxi operations. This includes aircraft recharging, maintenance, and everything else related to eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) operations. Like several other major airports, Archerfield is adapting to the realities of a new era in air mobility, where electric propulsion plays an important part.
Wisk's Aussie expansion began in 2022, when the US eVTOL maker entered a partnership with the South East Queensland Council of Mayors (COMSEQ). The following year, they jointly launched a white paper called "Bringing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to Australia," which highlighted some of the steps that the local authorities and industries need to take in order to support future eVTOL operations.
This month's agreement between Wisk and Archerfield is a huge step for AAM in South East Queensland, one that will help people travel faster and more efficiently while minimizing the environmental impact.
Wisk's Generation 6 aircraft combines a lift plus lift/cruise configuration with autonomous flight capabilities.Designed to comfortably transport four passengers, it can easily cover up to 90 miles (144 km) at 110 knots (126.5 mph/203 kph). In addition to the all-electric propulsion with zero emissions, the Wisk Gen 6 eVTOL offers the benefit of safe autonomous flight. Ground-based human supervision and autonomy in the air are merged in a safer form of autonomy with human oversight.
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