From faster hospital access for regional towns to 4,600 new jobs and a potential $3.7 billion uplift by 2045, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) offers South East Queensland a runway to a more connected and resilient future.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) today released Advanced Air Mobility: New Opportunities for SEQ, developed with Arup, SEQ councils and industry, showing how AAM could transform the way people and services move across the region.
It outlines how 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.
With South East Queensland's population projected to reach six million by 2046, 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.
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.
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.
Quotes attributable to Council of Mayors (SEQ) Deputy Chair and City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Peter Flannery:
"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. 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."
Quotes attributable to Arup Marketing Manager, Rob Fox:
"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. 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."
Quotes attributable to WISK Manager, APAC Development, Wisk Aero, Dan Parsons:
"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. 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."
Council of Mayors (SEQ) - Advanced Air Mobility Timeline
- 2021 - Council of Mayors (SEQ) partnered with Wisk Aero to explore opportunities for Advanced Air Mobility and electric aviation in South East Queensland.
- 2022 - Regional studies and industry analysis identified the potential for AAM to improve connectivity, support healthcare access, unlock tourism opportunities and create new jobs across SEQ.
- 2023-2025 - Council of Mayors (SEQ) worked with councils, industry and government agencies to better understand infrastructure requirements, planning considerations and regulatory pathways for future AAM operations.
- 2026 - Council of Mayors (SEQ), in partnership with Arup and SEQ councils, released Advanced Air Mobility: New Opportunities for SEQ - outlining how electric aviation could support future transport, tourism and economic growth.
