Electric air taxi transport trial to start

Planning for a pilot-less electric air taxi passenger transport trial in Canterbury is underway.

This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Government and urban air mobility company Wisk – the new trading name of Zephyr Airworks – to trial ‘Cora’, a self-flying electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The passenger route is a world first and will start after Cora’s certification by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority.

The MoU has been announced by research, science and innovation minister Dr Megan Woods who says the trial is a next step for the company towards taking its world-leading technology to market.

Wisk (Zephyr) has been testing Cora in Canterbury since 2017.

“Last year I announced the establishment of the Airspace Integration Trials Programme (supporting the safe testing and development of advanced unmanned aircraft and accelerate their integration into the aviation system) and that Wisk is the first industry partner to join – I’m pleased to announce that an agreement is now in place,” Woods says.

“The Government sees great potential in the development of an innovative unmanned aircraft sector in New Zealand and we are in a prime position to work with globally-leading companies here to safely test and go-to-market.”

Details about the trial parameters, timeframes, and the proposed routes are being developed in collaboration with local partners.

“The establishment of this trial will require Government, industry and key stakeholders at a national and local level working together to develop and deliver a robust plan for safe operation in the Christchurch area,” Woods says.

A recent benefit study commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Ministry of Transport estimated that the commercial application of unmanned aircraft could generate up to $7.9 billion in additional value to the New Zealand economy during the next 25 years.

“We are delighted to now have a signed agreement with the New Zealand Government, which will propel Cora’s entry to the air taxi market,” Wisk chief executive Gary Gysin says.

“We see this agreement as a sign of confidence in our product and abilities to develop and deliver a safe and reliable air taxi service, starting in New Zealand.”

Wisk is an independent company backed by The Boeing Company and Kitty Hawk Corporation.

Visit www.wisk.aero for more information.