Skyports signs MoU with Kenya Airways to bring UAV operations

exc-60881e802989bb51b00c00cd

Skyports has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with airline Kenya Airways, to collaborate on launching permanent unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in the country. They have begun looking for drone delivery and inspection use cases. 

In the next three months, the companies hope to explore the commercial viability and impact of a variety of medical, logistical and inspection use cases alongside Kenya’s leading public and private institutions. The target for the launch of the first drone delivery flights is between the third and four quarter this year. 

Allan Kilavuka, CEO at Kenya Airways, said: “This will give us access to available equipment and established operations that will lay the foundation for the Kenyan and regional drone market through our drone and emerging aviation technology subsidiary, Fahari Aviation.”

Duncan Walker, CEO at Skyports, said: “Our partnership will create time and cost savings for our customers and contribute to the growth of the country’s tech and aviation ecosystem.”

Skyports is currently running a three-month programme for medical deliveries with the UK’s National Health Service, in Scotland.

It also operated the UK Royal Mail’s first drone parcel delivery in Scotland in December 2020.  

Walker added: “This important partnership underscores the growth potential of Skyports’ tech-agnostic operator approach as a flexible offering which is suited to varying global market requirements.”

Kenya Airways seeks to lead the application of drone technology in the region through training, operations and traffic management carried out by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Fahari Aviation.