As a pioneer in cargo drone deliveries and advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure, Skyports has teamed up with Kencoa Aerospace, a global aerospace solution supplier and manufacturer, to announce a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deploy cargo drone deliveries to and on Jeju Island in South Korea.

South Korea’s largest island is located approximately 60 miles south of the mainland in the Korea Strait and the aim of the Skyports and Kencoa’s project is to significantly enhance logistics capabilities on Jeju Island. Deliveries will include critical supplies, including medical provisions, across the island.

Skyports involvement in the project will include undertaking a proof-of-concept to demonstrate the benefits and capabilities of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations on Jeju Island. In addition, the company will also conduct a feasibility assessment of setting up a cargo drone vertiport and accumulate critical eVTOL operations data ahead of the commencement of commercial operations.

“South Korea is ripe with opportunity in the advanced air mobility space,” said Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports. “Jeju Island’s specific volcanic and island geography provides a unique backdrop on which to demonstrate the benefits of drone logistics. With our BVLOS cargo drone operations, delivery services on the island will be up to six times faster, with carbon emission reduced by up to 90%. Drone deliveries have the potential to totally transform services for residents and healthcare providers, and we’re excited to be amongst the first movers in South Korea – and globally.”

Skyports’ drone delivery services have already seen successs in the UK and other locations. Projects include the UK’s first COVID-19 test drone delivery service in Scotland with the NHS and the operation of an inter-island medical drone delivery service between the Isles of Scilly for Royal Mail. It was also the company to build a full-scale passenger air taxi vertiport – the take-off and landing infrastructure for eVTOL aircraft, which was launched as part of a trial that took place in Singapore in 2019.

Kenny Lee, CEO of Kencoa Aerospace, also voiced his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying: “Through this partnership we will commence drone deliveries in Jeju Province before establishing AAM infrastructure and expanding into the air taxi industry. Jeju’s excellent tourist resources will promote the commercialisation of our AAM services. The strength of this partnership will enable the fastest commercial launch in Korea.”

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