News In the Field
Skyports partners with Robotic Skies for maintenance platform

Skyports, a UK-based drone delivery service provider, reached an agreement with Robotic Skies to develop a certified maintenance program for its unmanned aerial vehicles. The company notes this partnership will assist in its plans to expand services internationally. Robotic Skies is a global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) network for commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

Skyports focuses on operating end-to-end drone deliveries within the medical, e-commerce and logistics sectors. The company is a participant in the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) effort to develop regulatory approvals for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, including flights into non-segregated airspace. Skyports notes these initiatives are key to realizing a permanent drone delivery service, as well as developing consistent maintenance procedures.

“Certified maintenance is vital to enable full-scale, permanent commercial drone delivery operations,” said Duncan Walker, CEO, Skyports. “With Robotic Skies, our fleet of UAV systems will be maintained to the same safety standards as traditional certified aircraft. This partnership allows us to further demonstrate our commitment to the safe operation and integration of delivery drones alongside other users of the airspace and supports our plans to grow our service network internationally.”

Robotic Skies provides enterprise UAS and drone delivery fleet operators with local field maintenance services. The company’s proprietary system combines expertise in unmanned aircraft systems and traditional aviation maintenance methodology. The Robotic Skies Service Center network is comprised of more than 200 independently owned and operated certified repair stations, spanning more than 40 countries.

“We are excited to partner with Skyports as they pursue the expansion of drone delivery and other BVLOS flight operations in the UK and beyond,” said Brad Hayden, founder and CEO, Robotic Skies. “Our global service centre network puts high-quality support services where Skyports customers need it. Because we are leveraging the existing manned aviation infrastructure, we offer the highest quality, safety, and consistency in our programs to satisfy operators, regulators and manufacturers.”

Skyports will also work with Robotic Skies to develop maintenance programs and facilities for what it terms as the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry. Skyports explains it designs, builds, and operates networks of vertiports to enable safe and efficient passenger air taxi and cargo drone operations in the world’s major cities.