Australian-based Skyportz, a leading vertiport infrastructure developer, has announced the setting up of Wilbur Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary to operate electric and hybrid aircraft from its future network of vertiports, reports a press release.
Wilbur Air is to have priority access to the Skyportz vertiport locations soon to be developed around the country. A range of aircraft partners will facilitate everything from heavy lifting drone deliveries to short and long range passenger travel.
The new company’s first collaboration is with U.S‑based Electra.Aero. Under this partnership, Wilbur will operate the first 100 Electra eSTOL aircraft in Australia.
Marc Ausman, Electra’s Chief Product Officer, commented, “Our sustainable eSTOL aircraft is perfectly suited for Australia’s diverse geography, with its ability to access short airstrips in both urban and remote areas, while offering exceptional operational efficiency. We look forward to supporting Wilbur Air in enhancing regional connectivity, accessibility and environmental stewardship throughout Australia.”
Clem Newton-Brown, Founder and CEO of Skyportz and Wilbur Air, remarked, “Wilbur will be establishing operational partnerships across Australia with existing small charter and helicopter companies interested in moving into Advanced Air Mobility and flying under the Wilbur brand with priority access to our Skyportz vertiports.”
He continued, “We see great potential for the Electra aircraft in Australia given its unique long range capacity. We will have some further announcements soon regarding additional aircrafts that will suit a range of uses that we intend to operate”.
Skyportz has been involved with the Australian Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market during the last 5 years. Its focus is on breaking the nexus between aviation and airports and enabling property owners to activate their sites with vertiports.
Newton-Brown continued, “There is enormous interest from the property industry to help us break this nexus. In the future, commercial and industrial landholders could be able to establish mini-airports and vertistops to become part of the Skyportz network.”
He explained that investors who have backed OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) are now beginning to realise there has been underinvestment in the ecosystem that underlies the promise of AAM on demand. “If all the aircraft do is fly from airports and helipads then there will be no revolution. We need to start developing vertiports in new locations now,” pointed out Newton-Brown.
He added, “We are working with Governments, air regulators and communities to establish the parameters for the introduction of vertiport infrastructure and short take-off and landing runways”.
In addition to developing vertiport sites in Australia, Skyportz provides consultancy and planning services, as communities around the world gear up for this aviation revolution.
The primary body for AAM in Australia has recently released a roadmap setting out the timelines for the growth of the industry.
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Skyportz is opening a fundraising round this week on the Birchal Platform.
https://www.birchal.com/company/skyportz
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