eVTOL Operator Eyes Texas for Future Expansions

Wisk Aero and Houston Airports reinforced their relationship with a memorandum of understanding regarding air taxi ops in the metropolitan region.

Wisk's MoU with Houston adds George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD) to their roster of potential vertiport installations. Under the agreement, Houston Airports will "focus on integrating AAM into its long-term plans, championing community engagement, and establishing operational policy, such as infrastructure permitting and noise levels." Wisk, for its part, will "provide expertise on technical needs for autonomous eVTOL operations, including infrastructure, training, ground operational procedures, and plans for potential site expansion." Together, both groups will explore the incorporation of support infrastructures to the Houston area, checking to see where would be best served in the future operations of Wisk's AAM efforts.

 It's not too hard to see what Wisk is aiming at - a deal with Sugar Land, Texas last February fell along similar lines, laying tentative groundwork for vertiports and associated infrastructure for the firm's eVTOL operations. With Houston in their pocket, Wisk has expanded their prospective umbrella into some of the most fruitful portions of the Houston metro area. Once in place, Wisk will be able to offer clients in their network a quiet, clean ride aboard a vertical takeoff aircraft, moving them from point to point at a fraction of the cost the trip would take by traditional aircraft. For now, those cost savings are theoretical though, so the more customers, the more profitable their network nodes are, the better off Wisk will be when the eVTOL air taxi market heats up.

"Houston is at the forefront of aviation and aerospace innovation, so it’s only fitting that Houston Airports take the first steps to explore the next generation of air transportation,” said Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports. “Our partnership with Wisk represents a bold step towards revolutionizing air mobility not just within our city, but across the entire Greater Houston region. As a hub of business and progress, Houston is the ideal starting point for advancements in autonomous air travel, as the ideas, infrastructure and innovation stand to benefit residents, tourists and the business community. This collaboration with Wisk aligns with our vision to create a 5-Star global air service gateway where the magic of flight is celebrated.”

FMI: www.wisk.aero