London-based Skyports has raised US$23mln (£17.4mln) to accelerate its plans to build 'vertiports' for electric air taxis and expand its drone delivery services.
With the fundraising being a 'series B' round several existing investors took part and were joined by Japanese conglomerate Kanematsu Corporation, ASX-listed industrial property group Goodman Group (ASX:GMG) and Italian airport platform 2i Aeroporti.
Kanematsu Corporation will be able to nominate a director to take a seat on the board, which is also being strengthened by the appointment of a new independent non-executive director, Ken Allen, who is also chief executive of DHL eCommerce.
During the past two years the company's partnerships have included one with Royal Mail PLC to use drone services to deliver parcels to islands in the Inner Hebrides, while another with the NHS involved carrying COVID test samples and other medical materials in the Argyll & Bute region.
Elsewhere, in partnership with French airport operator Groupe ADP, Skyports is developing what it says will be Europe’s first test site in France, as a step towards launching commercial advanced air mobility (AAM) services in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Skyports said the new investment and the backing of its deep-pocketed investors "enables Skyports to accelerate its work with the world’s leading electric air taxi manufacturers and operators, providing take-off and landing infrastructure in key launch markets" and also "materially scale" its drone operations in new and existing markets.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, said: “This is another great milestone for Skyports as we continue our journey to be the leading vertiport owner and operator in the world."
He added: “Our growing Drone Services business puts us ahead of the curve with technology development, regulation and operational experience whilst reducing carbon emissions by using drones for a broad range of customers.”
The group said it currently has active drone services operations in the UK, Europe and Asia, offering onshore and maritime ship-to-ship deliveries, surveying and surveillance.