The South East Queensland Council of Mayors (SEQ) has released an ambitious plan for future air travel, outlining how Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) could transform the way people and services move across the region.
Developed with Arup and industry, the Advanced Air Mobility: New Opportunities for SEQ report details how AAM offers South East Queensland a runway to a more connected and resilient future – from faster hospital access for regional towns to 4,600 new jobs and a potential $3.7 billion uplift by 2045.
The report says electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) could provide fast, reliable, low-emission travel between regions and cities, with benefits across healthcare, tourism, connectivity and innovation. This includes opportunities to improve access to essential services, strengthen emergency response, unlock new tourism opportunities and support economic growth across the region.
“Advanced Air Mobility gives South East Queensland a chance to connect our region, from urban centres to rural towns, islands and natural assets like Ramsar-listed Moreton Bay,” said SEQ Deputy Chair and City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Peter Flannery.
“As our region continues to grow, AAM offers cleaner, faster and more efficient ways to move people and services while strengthening the industries that make SEQ unique. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our region — and we’re ready for lift-off.”
With South East Queensland’s population projected to reach six million by 2046, SEQ says AAM offers new ways to ease pressure on transport networks and strengthen connectivity between urban, rural and island communities.
Industry predicts regional communities could reach major hospitals within minutes, enabling faster transfers, rapid movement of clinicians and timely delivery of critical medical supplies.
US-based autonomous aviation company, Wisk Aero, develops self-flying eVTOLs designed to be operated as air taxis.
“Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) has the potential to transform regional connectivity across South East Queensland. Unlocking these economic and community benefits relies heavily on proactive local planning to facilitate the development of critical infrastructure to support AAM operations in the region,” said WISK Manager, APAC Development, Wisk Aero, Dan Parsons.
“Wisk is proud to build on our long-standing partnership with COMSEQ and we look forward to continuing our work with local councils to help build this next phase of growth, ensuring both physical and regulatory pathways are in place for AAM to thrive.”
The councils say AAM could also boost the region’s tourism economy by making iconic destinations, from is hinterlands to coast and islands, faster and easier to reach. Clean, quiet aircraft would support sustainable tourism while helping local operators grow their markets ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This work builds on Council of Mayors (SEQ)’s 2021 partnership with Wisk Aero to explore how electric aviation could support future transport, tourism and connectivity across the region.
South East Queensland joins a growing number of global cities actively exploring AAM, with trials and demonstrations underway in Los Angeles, Paris, Dubai and Singapore.
“Arup has worked closely with COMSEQ over the last few years to help cultivate the conversation about how Advanced Air Mobility can benefit residents of South East Queensland,” said Arup Marketing Manager, Rob Fox.
“Around the world we have been involved in helping projects move from concept to reality, and we look forward to seeing how this cleaner, faster and more connected mobility can complement existing transport networks across SEQ.”
In New York, Joby Aviation recently conducted public air taxi demonstrations using the city’s existing heliport network, showcasing how eVTOL aircraft could integrate into future urban transport systems. AAM has the potential to improve healthcare access, strengthen emergency response, support regional connectivity and create thousands of high-value jobs across the region.
The next phase will focus on planning future infrastructure, integrating AAM into existing transport networks and working with governments and industry to support the safe rollout of electric aviation as the technology evolves.
Read the Advanced Air Mobility: New Opportunities for SEQ here.
