Electric aircraft can offer faster hospital access, create up to 4600 jobs and potentially inject $3.7 billion into the South-East Queensland economy by 2045.
That was the argument of an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) opportunities paper released by the Council of Mayors SEQ earlier this week.
The paper details how electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) could provide fast, reliable and low polluting travel across regions.
Council deputy chairman (and Moreton Bay City Mayor) Peter Flannery says: “Advanced Air Mobility gives South-East Qld a chance to connect our region, from urban centres to rural towns, islands and natural assets.”
He says amid continual population growth in SEQ, these flying ‘taxis’ offer cleaner, faster and more efficient ways to move.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our region — and we’re ready for lift-off,” he says.
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ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT: The VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft achieve vertical and forward flight via four main designs. These are: multirotor blades (fixed engines), lift-and-cruise (fixed vertical and forward rotors), tilt-rotor/wing (engines or wings that tilt between flight modes) and vectored thrust (fixed wings with rotors providing vertical AND forward thrust). Source: Advanced Air Mobility in SEQ paper
ELECTRIC POSSIBILITIES FOR REGIONS
Arup Marketing Manager Rob Fox says they been involved with the Council to encourage discussions about the concept.
“Around the world we have been involved in helping projects move from concept to reality; we look forward to seeing how this cleaner, faster and more connected mobility can complement existing transport networks across SEQ,” he says.
WISK Aero Manager for APAC Development Dan Parsons says the electric aircraft could “transform” regional communities.
“Unlocking these economic and community benefits relies heavily on proactive local planning to facilitate the development of critical infrastructure to support AAM operations in the region,” he says.
South East Queensland’s population is expected to reach six million by 2046 and these aircraft could ease pressure on transport networks, council says.
The Council says other global cities exploring AAM usage include Los Angeles, Paris, Dubai and Singapore.
The next phase will focus on planning future infrastructure, integrating the aircraft into existing transport networks and working with governments and industry to roll it out.
VIDEO FLASHBACK: Wisk Aero’s presentation in 2025
