Wisk Aero, a Boeing backed Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company, has officially selected Miami as a launch city for its self-piloting electric air taxis after signing two strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Miami‑Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) and the University of Miami’s Engineering Autonomy Mobility Initiative (MEAMI) at the Paris Air Show this week.
The agreements mark a major step forward for Miami-Dade County, which has been quietly positioning itself as a hub for autonomous flight innovation. Under the MOU with MDAD, Wisk will collaborate with officials at Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami Executive Airport (KTMB), and Opa-locka Executive Airport (OPF) to plan the infrastructure necessary to launch vertiports and integrate electric air taxis into the region’s airspace. The goal: to lay the groundwork for everyday autonomous air travel that could radically reshape urban mobility in South Florida.
Wisk will provide technical expertise around vertiport design, site selection, flight procedures, and integration into existing airport development plans. In return, Miami-Dade will factor autonomous aircraft into its planning for electrical infrastructure, airspace coordination, and long-term regional connectivity.
The University of Miami’s MEAMI initiative will complement this work through joint research and development. Wisk and the university will collaborate on advanced technologies like next-gen battery systems, autonomous navigation, and regulatory safety protocols. The agreement also opens the door to federal grant opportunities and commercialization efforts tied to U.S. regulatory frameworks. University of Miami faculty and students will support the work through access to labs, facilities, and emerging R&D efforts, adding academic muscle to the region’s AAM push.
Miami has demonstrated long-standing support for AAM, making it a natural fit for future Wisk operations. We’re incredibly excited to deepen our roots here with both MIA and the University of Miami. These partnerships aren’t just about putting aircraft in the sky; they’re about collaboratively building the entire ecosystem – from the ground infrastructure and regulatory pathways to the cutting-edge research that will define the future of autonomous flight.
said, Sebastien Vigneron, CEO of Wisk.
I am extremely excited about this historic first step toward making Miami-Dade County one of the first areas in the country with advanced air mobility. This collaboration with Wisk allows us to strategically plan for the future of air travel, enhance connectivity, and explore new economic opportunities for Miami-Dade County. MIA is the busiest airport in Florida and the second busiest in the country for international passengers, which makes it the perfect launch site for AAM.
said, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County.
At the University of Miami, the initiative is seen as a milestone for South Florida’s research ecosystem.
We are advancing core technologies like advanced sensors and next generation battery systems that are essential to making AAM safe and scalable. This partnership exemplifies how academic innovation and industry leadership can come together to make autonomous urban flight possible.
said Pratim Biswas, dean of UM’s College of Engineering
Miami’s inclusion in Wisk’s global rollout, which also includes Houston, Los Angeles County, and Brisbane, Australia, cements the region’s growing reputation as a testbed for aviation innovation. Wisk has already played a key role in shaping Florida’s approach to the air taxi industry, contributing to the Florida DOT’s AAM Advisory Council and co-authoring multiple statewide planning guides.