Wisk and Signature partnership to speed AAM infrastructure
This week Wisk became the fifth manufacturer and the first autonomous aircraft developer to partner with Signature Aviation in an agreement designed to speed autonomous advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure.
Following in the footsteps of Archer, Joby, Beta and Eve, the pair will work to explore how best to prepare Signature’s FBO network for the arrival of Wisk’s eVTOL aircraft. The Boeing subsidiary is steadfast on service entry before the end of the decade.
The work – to be undertaken at Ellington Airport in Houston, Texas – will focus on developing vertiport concepts and layouts and assessing infrastructure requirements. The goal is to build a comprehensive operational blueprint for Wisk vertiports everywhere, according to JC Asencio, Infrastructure and Emerging Markets manager at Wisk.
“The frameworks and validated concepts we develop here will allow us to streamline and scale our launch processes across other key locations in the future [such as LA and Miami],” Asencio told us.
Following a successful feasibility assessment, the next steps involve drawing up a vertiport layout blueprint, working out the best processes for handling aircraft and passengers and defining specific regulatory approvals. Key infrastructure includes charging capabilities, passenger handling facilities and precision landing systems, said Asencio.
Vertiport development specialist UrbanV, which has a separate partnership with Signature, will also provide design support.
The growing number of partnerships between eVTOL developers and business aviation FBO companies adds further weight to the argument that air taxis will not be capable of delivering ticket prices competitive with Uber Black.
It is worth noting, however, more than half of Signature’s 200 network locations are based at airports also offering commercial aviation services, potentially offering a relatively seamless crossover between part 121 and part 135.
“Our partnership is centred on leveraging Signature’s expertise in ground operations, their global network of prime airport locations and their established infrastructure,” said Ascencio. “Their reputation for premium service aligns with our goal to deliver a safe and seamless passenger experience, which is a primary focus of our joint concept development. Wisk’s goal is still to provide everyday flight for everyone.”
Meanwhile, also this week – in another first for aircraft autonomy – aircraft-agnostic autonomy company Merlin went public via special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Expected to close in early 2026, the deal values Merlin at $800m pre-money, and has over $125m in committed PIPE capital, $78m of which has already been released.
Matt George, Merlin’s CEO and founder said: “Our national security represents the highest stake proving ground. Defence airframes log over four million flight-hours per year; AI that has earned trust there earns it anywhere. We believe our entrance into the public market will allow us to double down on our existing customers, expand the volume and types of platforms we support and accelerate our revenue growth.”
