Skyports and Wagner partner on vertiport development
Skyports Infrastructure has partnered with Australian property investment firm Wagner Corporation to assess vertiport development opportunities in Queensland.
The partnership will look at development opportunities in strategic locations around Brisbane and the wider Queensland area. Wagner Corporation will identify suitable real estate from its portfolio, while Skyports will evaluate these sites for design, operational and commercial feasibility.
There will also be involvement from eVTOL developers such as Wisk. Skyports announced a partnership with California-based Wisk last month that looks to establish a vertiport network in South East Queensland.
Yun-Yuan Tay, head of Asia-Pacific at Skyports Infrastructure, said: “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, which, 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!”
Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, owned by Wagner, has been identified as a potential site, the two companies will now conduct feasibility studies to assess the potential for developing a vertiport testbed and permanent infrastructure in the future.
Constructed in 2014, Toowoomba is Australia’s first privately funded public airport. Located approximately 90 miles from Brisbane, it was built by Wagner to improve regional passenger transport.
John Wagner, chairman at Wagner Corporation, said: “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.”
Skyports and Wagner will also jointly work on engagement efforts to support the development of Australia’s AAM ecosystem. The partners will engage key stakeholders, including state government, city councils, planning authorities and regulators.
