New Zealand and Wisk sign MoU to develop passenger air taxi trial

Credit: Wisk

The New Zealand Government and Wisk, an urban air mobility company, have announced a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a passenger transport trial in Canterbury, New Zealand. Wisk’s self-flying, all-electric air taxi, called Cora, is the aircraft selected for the trials.

In October 2019, the New Zealand Government announced that it was establishing an industry-wide Airspace Integration Trial to work with leading, innovative domestic and international industry partners to safely test and demonstrate unmanned aircraft. Wisk, based in the U.S. and New Zealand, was announced as the first industry partner to join the air taxi programme.

Wisk CEO, Gary Gysin, said: “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. 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. As the Minister of Research Science and Innovation Hon. Dr. Megan Woods said in her announcement: ‘This trial is the first of its kind and Wisk’s innovative technology and commitment to New Zealand make them an ideal partner for advancing the future of travel in New Zealand and the world.’

“Wisk has been working with the Government and people of New Zealand since 2017,” Gysin continued. “We are excited about what this agreement and trial represents in our journey to bring safe everyday flight to everyone. New Zealand values innovation, excellence and technology that is safe for people and the environment.”

With the agreement now in place, the planning for an air taxi passenger transport trial in Canterbury is now underway. The passenger route is said to be a world’s first and will commence after Cora’s certification by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority.