ACS has invested 110 million dollars (more than 103 million euros) in the British company Skyports. With this capital investment, the construction company will become the first shareholder of the company, which will be dedicated to providing drone delivery and control services in Dubai and developing vertiports for drone traffic.
The firm has explained that the investment has been made from a series C financing round, which is aimed at consolidated companies that are entering the maturation phase. In addition, Skyports added that the investment has been made through Iridium, ACS’s infrastructure development and concessions business focused on sustainable and innovative transport solutions.
Thanks to the financing received, Skysports will be able to build and install vertiports in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which will serve as landing platforms for vertical takeoff aircraft, ahead of the launch of an air taxi system in the city, which is expected to be achieved next year. . 2026.
In addition, Skyports will allocate part of the financing to the evolution of its drone service, with deliveries of high energy assets and medicines, inspections of linear assets and water quality control services.
The two companies will also explore how drone delivery and inspection services can be incorporated into the ACS Group’s significant portfolio of infrastructure assets and construction and mining projects. Among others, ACS plans to explore how Skyports Drone Services’ expertise can help bring more efficiencies to its existing asset management, construction and mining businesses across the Group.
The investment will see Iridium CEO Nuria Haltiwanger join Skyports’ board of directors as president. Ramón Villamil and Vicente Maraña will also join the Board.
Haltiwanger noted that they are “proud” of this new partnership and the role they will now be able to play in the new and growing advanced air mobility market. “We are eager to bring our knowledge of large-scale infrastructure development and construction to help grow Skyports.”
For his part, CEO and co-founder of Skyports, Duncan Walker, explained that, thanks to the support of ACS, they are in the best possible position to promote commercial air taxi and electric drone services around the world.
“The investment from a leader in world-class transportation infrastructure supports Skyports’ initiatives and underlines the immense potential of the market. Having ACS as a significant shareholder in the company places us in a leading position in the market, and “We are going to continue growing and enabling new aviation services,” he stated.
