Enabling efficient and effective mobility in urban areas is one of todays toughest challenges. With traffic congestion costing almost €100B (£87.4B) a year in the EU, companies are working to reshape urban mobility, looking at and investing in airspace to relieve ground transportation.
Drones are becoming part of people's lives and work, already prevalent in the emergency services, and construction industry. The global market opportunity for drones (unmanned aircraft systems - UAS) is set to grow to $100B this year with the help of growing demand from the commercial and public sectors.
According to studies conducted by PWC, by 2030, there could be 76,000 drones operating in the UK’s skies with 628,000 jobs in created in the industry and by 2050 an estimated 100,000 passenger drones should be operational.
Skyports, the urban air mobility infrastructure provider and drone delivery operator has announced this week that they have received an additional £6M Series A funding from Irelandia Aviation, and existing investors Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures, Groupe ADP and Levitate Capital.
“Irelandia Aviation have been pioneers in the aviation industry for many years. It is a privilege to welcome Declan to our board and testament to our ambition that he will be taking this position. Their investment further strengthens our financial position. Skyports investors have a combined balance sheet in excess of €80B (£70B) putting us in a unique position to build scale in this emerging industry.” - Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports
This investment will be used by the company to further develop its ambitious programme of site acquisition for passenger and cargo vertiports in cities around the world, including Singapore and Los Angeles. Skyports will also grow its team to enable the full commercialisation of its urban and rural drone delivery services.
“We are delighted to partner with the team at Skyports who have become leaders in the development of the infrastructure required to enable the UAM industry. We at Irelandia look forward to working with Skyports, aviation regulators, manufacturers and operators to expand in new markets and make UAM and drone services a reality globally. We look forward to furthering Irelandia’s demonstrated track record of democratizing air travel around the world.” - Declan Ryan, Managing Partner of Irelandia Aviation
