• Skyports, a UK-based drone logistics company, has partnered with Kencoa Aerospace, a global aerospace solution supplier and manufacturer, to trial cargo drone deliveries to and within Jeju Island, South Korea. This marks the company’s entry into South Korea.

• The partnership looks to initiate drone-based delivery capabilities across the island, in order to transport critical supplies including medical deliveries. Skyports will first conduct a proof-of-concept demonstration on beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and will assess the commercial viability and impact of setting up cargo drone vertiports.

• Kencoa Aerospace has established a drone operation division on the island to facilitate the project. It will also lead recruitment for the project, and coordinate with the island’s authorities to materialize the commercialization of drone-based cargo transportation.

<ul><li> Analyst QuickTake: This partnership in South Korea marks Skyports’ second project in Asia, following the expansion to Japan in partnership with Kanematsu Corporation in April this year. Skyports’ peer, South Korean Pablo Air,  also has conducted drone-based deliveries in the country, including a cargo delivery trial from Jeju islands’ Seogwipo Port to Udo Port in November 2019; and in Yeongjong island’s Incheon a year later.</ul>