Gracie WarhurstHouston Airports recently entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Wisk Aero to bring advanced air mobility (AAM) to the city. The agreement expands on a recent public-private partnership (P3) with Sugar Land to develop vertiport infrastructure in the greater Houston area.
Under the MOU, Wisk and Houston Airports will partner to evaluate the requirements to support vertiport operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD). Over the next year, the partners expect to develop infrastructure and routes, seek community input and continue conversations with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“This public-private partnership marks a significant step forward for the City of Houston as we invest in innovative and sustainable modes of air transportation,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in a statement. “The collaboration underscores our commitment to pioneer advancements that will shape the future of urban mobility.”
Houston Airports will integrate AAM into its plans, engage with the community and set operational policies. Wisk will offer expertise on autonomous Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (EVTOL) aircraft operations, and together they will explore maintenance and training facilities in Houston.
The city would utilize Wisk’s Generation 6 Air Taxi, which takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter but transitions to forward flight like a plane. Fully electric and quieter than helicopters, they are fully autonomous and monitored by a human supervisor on the ground.
Houston Airports follows Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and the city of Arlington, Texas. Both entered into agreements with Overair, the developer of an EVTOL that is on the path to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval, earlier this year.
The rising innovations in EVTOL aircraft operations are contributing to the FAA’s Innovate28 initiative to safely integrate AAM in multiple locations by 2028.
