Following its success in contributing to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) COVID-19 response, Australian drone logistics company Swoop Aero and UK advance air mobility (AAM) company, Skyports, are extending their partnership (which began in late 2020) to deploy drone delivery networks across the Americas and Europe.

The collaboration, which will combine Skyport’s expertise in drone delivery operations with Swoop Aero’s technology and extensive experience, will enable increased access to drone delivery solutions. In addition to streamlining and modernising traditional logistics networks, the partnership will improve critical supply chains to support emergency responses, such as the COVID-19 crisis.

The announcement of the partnership follows the recent launch of Swoop Aero’s Kite™ aircraft – the next-generation aircraft is designed with precision for urban flight and high-impact rural and remote operations. According to Swoop Aero, it will be the most advanced aircraft of its type being progressed through the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification programmes.

“We’re so excited to continue to work with Skyports in new markets across Europe and the Americas,” said Eric Peck, CEO of Swoop Aero. “With Kite™, Swoop Aero has finessed our versatility and unlocked the skies above cities. We’re excited to unlock the potential of drone logistics for these new markets,” he added.

The new partnership will see Skyports become Swoop Aero’s first partner organisation to gain access to the Kite aircraft as part of Swoop Aero’s Kite™ Pioneer Programme. The Kite aircraft will be integrated into Skyports’ fleet for use across medical, maritime and logistics drone delivery operations across Europe, the Americas and select Asia-Pacific countries. Similarly, Swoop Aero will also be able to leverage the partnership with Skyports to accelerate the footprint of its technology around the world.

Peck added: “In our collaboration with Skyports, we have been able to treat patients in their local communities and enhance the emotional and economic prosperity of people in the region.

“It’s great to see the positive impacts that have emerged from our strategic partnership, and we’re looking forward to extending our collaboration into new markets, and continuing to work towards Swoop Aero’s goal to provide 100 million people with access to sustainable drone networks by 2025.”

Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, added his support for the collaboration saying: “It has been instrumental to our drone delivery operations which are helping to connect people in even the most remote geographies. The extension of this partnership not only demonstrates our commitment to improving medical logistics and access to healthcare around the world, but it also highlights the work we’re doing to make drone deliveries a commercial, scalable reality. The American and European markets have demonstrated huge appetite for drone delivery services, and we’re thrilled to be leading the revolution.”

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