PRESS RELEASE: FLYING WHALES Airship Base Announced as Key Project in Mount Isa City Council’s Future Ready Economy Roadmap
On Friday 21 February, Mount Isa City Council launched their Future Ready Economy Roadmap and FLYING WHALES (FW) spoke on how their flagship airship base project will shape the future of logistics of Mount Isa.
The Future Ready Economy Roadmap, developed in response to the closure of the Glencore mine, highlights the need for economic diversification, with logistics, critical minerals, and infrastructure at its core. The roadmap identifies 28 priority projects that will position Mount Isa for long-term resilience and sustainability.
The FLYING WHALES airship base, to be identified as a priority project, is set to revolutionize freight transport by reducing costs and emissions while unlocking economic opportunities for remote industries.
FLYING WHALES is a French-Canadian company developing an aeronautical manufacturing company and an operating company fly the LCA60T transport solution. The LCA60T is a large capacity rigid airship designed for transporting heavy or bulky loads, with a cargo capacity of 60 tonnes.
FLYING WHALES’ Australian Project Manager, Juliette Vicaire, spoke at the launch presenting FW’s role in revolutionizing air freight logistics in remote and regional Queensland. She will also be available for exclusive media interviews.
Speaking on the LCA60T capability in Mount Isa, Juliette stated, “with rich mineral resources and a mining sector poised to meet the rising demand for critical minerals used in batteries, solar panels, and wind turbine motors, Mount Isa is well-positioned to evolve into a true innovation hub. A key enabler of this transformation is a highly efficient, flexible, and resilient supply chain—one that can adapt to fluctuations in demand and withstand extreme weather conditions.”
“Flying Whales’ hybrid-electric airship aligns with these goals by offering a low-emission, high-capacity transport solution that enhances logistics flexibility and resilience, ensuring the continued flow of critical goods and equipment even in challenging conditions such as floods or supply chain bottlenecks.”
In October 2024, FLYING WHALES signed an MOU with Mount Isa City Council to collaborate on developing by 2028 the very first operational base in Australia, and in Asia Pacific.
Since signing an MOU with Mount Isa City Council, FLYING WHALES has worked closely with local stakeholders to identify a site for its future base in the region. The company is now engaging with state and federal government stakeholders to secure funding that will accelerate the establishment of this critical infrastructure.
The FLYING WHALES project goes beyond economic growth—it has the potential to play a critical role in Queensland’s disaster relief efforts.
Juliette Vicaire stated, “The base in Mount Isa will not only generate jobs, tax revenue, and drive decarbonization of industrial transportation, but it will also support disaster relief efforts in times of crisis—like the large floods Queensland is currently facing.”
“When we operate in Mount Isa, we’ll be able to deliver 60 tons of supplies in just one trip—generators, fuel, food, and water—up to 15 times more efficiently than today’s solutions and at a much lower cost than helicopters. In severe cases, we could even deliver mobile hospitals and prefabricated buildings directly to flood-hit areas, bypassing road, and bridge closures. “
Media are invited to cover this groundbreaking project and interview Juliette Vicaire, who can provide insights into FLYING WHALES’ vision, strategic plans, and what this means for Queensland’s economic and emergency response future.
Ms. Juliette Vicaire
FLYING WHALES – Project Manager Australia
[email protected]
Mr. Alexis de Pelleport
FLYING WHALES – Representative in Australia
[email protected]
