Wisk taps world’s largest FBO operator Signature Aviation to launch autonomous eVTOL network
August 13, 2025
Wisk Aero, the Boeing-backed developer of autonomous eVTOL air taxis, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Signature Aviation, the world’s largest fixed-base operator (FBO), to help lay the foundations for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in the United States.
The agreement will see the two companies work together to design and develop vertiport infrastructure across Signature’s global network, starting with Houston’s Ellington Airport (EFD) and extending into priority markets including Los Angeles and Miami.
The Signature FBOs that will be first to explore Wisk’s eVTOL
As a first step, Wisk and Signature Aviation have already begun work at Ellington Airport (EFD) in Houston, Texas.
Here, the partners are developing vertiport concepts and figuring out what operational workflows and infrastructure will be required for Wisk’s Gen 6 aircraft to operate there.
While Wisk hasn’t specified the Signature FBOs it’s working with elsewhere, the locations are easy to spot.
In Los Angeles, Wisk has already conducted public flights at the city’s Long Beach Airport (LGB). This airport is home to a Signature FBO.
In Miami, Wisk has already established the city as an early-launch AAM candidate. It signed two Memoranda of Understanding in June that serve as the foundation to bring safe autonomous air taxis to Miami.
Signature Aviation has bases in the city at Miami International (MIA), Miami Executive (TMB), and Miami-Opa Locka Executive (OPF). Further out, its airports extend north to Palm Beach, with eight FBOs that could form an ideal future AAM network.
eVTOL industry momentum builds for new partnerships
Wisk’s tie-up with the largest FBO in the world is a sign of the times, and other AAM companies are rapidly jumping into bed with their future partners and collaborators.
In January 2024, Joby partnered with Atlantic Aviation, another prominent FBO in the US, to electrify its infrastructure in New York and Southern California for future eVTOL operations. Atlantic, hedging its bets, then signed similar agreements with both Beta and Archer.
Both Joby and Supernal have agreements to install charging infrastructure at Clay Lacy’s West Coast FBO network, while Joby recently purchased Blade’s air taxi business, including lounges and terminals.
Further afield, Joby has begun construction of its first vertiport at Dubai International Airport. It is collaborating with Jetex to roll out its Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) across Jetex’s terminals in the Middle East.
As eVTOLs move towards certification, companies are rapidly aligning with the future partners they’ll need to make AAM a reality. But as the major players like Signature and Atlantic get snapped up, one has to hope the well-regarded regional FBOs get a look in too.
