Vertiko and Jaunt launch Quebec sustainable air mobility structuring project
Vertiko Mobility, Jaunt Air Mobility and partners are to collaborate on a project to develop an air corridor for advanced air mobility including drones, and ultimately air taxis.
Vertiko Mobility is to launch a structuring project to enter a drone service and eVTOL flights as part of actions taken by the aeronautics sector for sustainable aviation presented during the Volaria aeronautical event.
The project’s first initiative is to deploy a research and development corridor linking the City of Joliette to the Atikamekw First Nation of Manawan with the aim to set up the necessary facilities for the development and operation of new electrically powered air vehicles such as the Jaunt Journey.
“This opens the door to a new world of opportunity and collaboration for players in the Canadian aerospace ecosystem,” said Yannick Richard, Executive Vice President, and John Valley, President of Vertiko Mobility. “We are pleased to see the launch of this unifying project for the entire industry while highlighting Indigenous regions and communities.”
The deployment of an air corridor will address a critical need in the Manawan community for faster access to health care and medicines. The gravel road linking Manawan to Saint-Michel-des-Saints is perilous and has been implicated in several tragedies.
Manawan Attikamek council vice-chief Paul-Émile Ottawa added: “Manawan supports this project to develop an air mobility corridor that will ultimately allow our community easier access to medication and emergency treatment.”
The development of the ecosystem is supported by Aéro Montréal, the Consortium de Recherche et d’Innovation en Aérospatiale du Québec (CRIAQ), as well as the Drone Niche of Excellence.
Three major areas of research and development are underway: the drone or air taxi, the vertiport, and the control and management system.
In June, Jaunt Air Mobility Canada signed an agreement with Global Partner Solutions (GPSI) to create a ‘world-class’ supply chain ecosystem that will contribute to the Jaunt Journey aircraft.
