UK-headquartered Skyports Infrastructure is to explore vertiport development opportunities in Queensland with Wagner Corp, an Australian property, infrastructure and sustainable development company. The agreement follows a recent announcement by Skyports to identify an entry into service network for Wisk's autonomous Generation 6 aircraft in the South East Queensland region.

Skyports will explore vertiport development opportunities in strategic locations around Brisbane and the wider Queensland area from Wagner Corporation's real estate portfolio and evaluate the sites for design, operational and commercial feasibility. Together the two companies will collaborate with prospective eVTOL companies, including Wisk, to identify optimal locations and support their air taxi operations across the Queensland region.

One example is the Wagner Corporation-owned Toowoomba Wellcamp airport, where feasibility studies will be conducted to assess the potential for developing a vertiport testbed and future permanent infrastructure. Constructed in 2014, Toowoomba Wellcamp is Australia's first privately funded public airport. It was built by Wagner Corporation to enhance regional and national passenger transport. Located approximately 90 miles from Brisbane, the airport presents a significant opportunity for the development of a regional air taxi vertiport.

Skyports and Wagner will also jointly work on engagement efforts to support the development of Australia's AAM ecosystem. Leveraging Skyports' demonstrable industry expertise and Wagner's local knowledge and operational experience, the partners will engage key stakeholders, including state government, city councils, planning authorities and regulators.

Yun-Yuan Tay, head of Asia-Pacific at Skyports Infrastructure, says: “We're committed to playing an integral role in enabling air taxi services across Queensland and the wider Australian market. Our partnership with Wagner Corporation brings essential local knowledge in airport development, construction and real estate that, combined with our vertiport infrastructure experience, will catalyse the launch of air taxi operations. With our existing partnership with the leading autonomous eVTOL company Wisk, AAM is heating up in Australia.”

John Wagner, chairman at Wagner Corporation, adds: “It is vital to start work on eVTOL infrastructure, to have enough sites approved and operational in the lead up to the launch of air taxi services and ahead of the 2032 Olympics. Our partnership with Skyports is an important step towards this goal. In addition, Wagner Corporation intends to build vertiport and manufacturing facilities at the Toowoomba Wellcamp airport to allow all OEM operators access to a site for the construction and testing of eVTOLs for the Asia Pacific region.”