Hon Roger Cook BA GradDipBus MBA MLA, WA Deputy Premier; Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade; Tourism; Commerce; Science (WA), Hon Reece Whitby MLA, Minister for Environment; Climate Action (WA), Joint Media Release, 16 February 2022

The McGowan Government has today welcomed a new innovative partnership that will see up to 50 new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft providing zero-emission flights in Western Australia.

WA companies Aviair and HeliSpirit have partnered with global company Eve Air Mobility, part of the Embraer Group, to bring new zero-emission electric aircraft to WA within the next four years.

The aircraft are designed with overhead distributed rotors and rear propellers, enabling them to land and take-off vertically.

The new four-person passenger aircraft will only require a helipad for departures and landings, allowing aircraft to be used for both short intra-city air transfers and tourism flights to some of WA’s most iconic regional tourist attractions.

With a low noise footprint, the new aircraft will be suited to operations in both sensitive natural settings as well as urban environments.

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Roger Cook:

“I welcome this environmentally focused partnership to provide zero-emissions flights.

“This partnership highlights our Western Australian tourism businesses that are on the leading edge of providing the sustainable tourism products that international travellers are increasingly expecting.

“Western Australia has some of the most beautiful and remote locations in the world, particularly in the Kimberley.

“It is great to see local companies looking to the future and the McGowan Government will continue to support local businesses that think outside the box and look at innovative technologies that benefit WA.”

Comments attributed to Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby:

“Continuing to embrace innovation is critical to the State reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“Government, business and the broader community are becoming increasingly ambitious in meeting emissions targets – and I would like to congratulate businesses like Aviair and HeliSpirit, who are showing their commitment to conserving our environment.”