in 2019, the legacy aviation company investing $450 million in the operation as it attempted to work out how eVTOLs and conventional aircraft could operate together.
But it looks like Kittyhawk’s demise won’t affect Wisk’s future. “Kittyhawk’s decision to cease operations does not change Boeing’s commitment to Wisk,” a Boeing spokeswoman told Bloomberg. “We are proud to be a founding member of Wisk Aero and are excited to see the work they are doing to drive innovation and sustainability through the future of electric air travel.”
Many automakers have been keen investors in the burgeoning eVTOL industry as they look to shift from being companies that build and sell cars to ones that provide mobility solutions. Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes, Stellantis, Toyota and others are all involved in the industry, and this summer unveiled its first prototype aircraft. But the industry still needs to satisfy regulatory bodies around the world that eVTOLs are safe before the flying taxi business is ready for launch.
Saw that bit of shame