‘Ready for liftoff’: The future of air transport is taking shape
Electric aircraft discussions are taking off as a new report pushes for better and faster transport in Southeast Queensland.
Southeast Queensland Council of Mayors have released a new report showing how electric aircraft could help transform transportation across the region.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Deputy Chair and Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) could better connect urban centres and rural towns, islands and natural assets like Moreton Bay.
“As our region continues to grow, AAM offers cleaner, faster and more efficient ways to move people and services while strengthening the industries that make SEQ unique,” Flannery said. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our region — and we’re ready for lift-off.”
With South East Queensland’s population projected to reach six million by 2046, it was important to create fast, reliable, low-emission travel between regions and cities, the Advanced Air Mobility: New Opportunities for SEQ report said.
The report strategises new ways to ease pressure on transport networks and strengthen connectivity between urban, rural and island communities by outlining how electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) could provide fast and reliable transport.
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AAM could faster hospital access for regional towns, with industry predicting communities being able to reach major hospitals within minutes to enable faster transfers, rapid movement of clinicians and timely delivery of critical medical supplies.
The report was developed with consultancy firm Arup, SEQ Councils and industry, it outlined tourism benefits, by making iconic destinations faster and easier to reach with clean and quiet aircraft and helping local operators grow their markets.
This work builds on Council of Mayors (SEQ)’s 2021 partnership with Wisk Aero to explore the possibilities of electric aviation to support transport, tourism and connectivity across the region.
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Wisk Aero and APAC Development Manager Dan Parsons said AAM has the potential to transform connectivity across the region.
“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,” Parsons said.
Other cities exploring AAM include New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Dubai and Singapore, which are actively holding trials and demonstrations into electric aircraft.
Public air taxi demonstrations were recently held in New York by Joby Aviation, using the city’s existing heliport network to showcase how eVTOL aircraft could integrate into future urban transport systems.
The next phase will focus on planning AAM infrastructure, integrating it into existing transport networks and working with governments and industry to support the safe rollout of electric aviation.
Arup Marketing Manager Rob Fox said the company has been working closely with COMSEQ for years to cultivate the conversation around AAM.
“Around the world we have been involved in helping projects move from concept to reality, and we look forward to seeing how this cleaner, faster and more connected mobility can complement existing transport networks across SEQ,” Fox said.
Advanced Air Mobility Timeline
- 2021 – Council of Mayors (SEQ) partnered with Wisk Aero to explore opportunities for Advanced Air Mobility and electric aviation in South East Queensland.
- 2022 – Regional studies and industry analysis identified the potential for AAM to improve connectivity, support healthcare access, unlock tourism opportunities and create new jobs across SEQ.
- 2023–2025 – Council of Mayors (SEQ) worked with councils, industry and government agencies to better understand infrastructure requirements, planning considerations and regulatory pathways for future AAM operations.
- 2026 – Council of Mayors (SEQ), in partnership with Arup and SEQ councils, released Advanced Air Mobility: New Opportunities for SEQ — outlining how electric aviation could support future transport, tourism and economic growth.
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