General Atomics

Skyports enters Saudi Arabia with proof-of-concept for giga-projects

Skyports Drone Services (Skyports) is making its first entry into the Saudi Arabian market through a strategic collaboration with iot squared, a joint venture between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and national telecom company stc group.



Image courtesy Skyports

The partnership will leverage Skyports’ expertise in beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for a proof-of-concept exploring the integration of drone technology into Saudi Arabia’s large-scale infrastructure and real estate developments, known as giga-projects. In addition, Skyports will help establish a BVLOS-friendly ecosystem to accelerate the expansion of drone operations across the country. This includes developing iot squared’s remote command and control centre.

The proof-of-concept will demonstrate how drone services can contribute to more sustainable transport solutions while enabling faster, more efficient operations. By showcasing real-world applications, the initiative aims to set the foundation for widespread adoption of drone technology across Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects.

Skyports has a strong track record of successful drone service implementations across multiple industries, including medical, maritime, energy and infrastructure. The company has previously partnered with major organisations such as Royal Mail, Equinor and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. This experience positions Skyports as a key enabler in advancing Saudi Arabia’s smart infrastructure and mobility solutions through the implementation of on demand, highly automated cargo deliveries.

As the project progresses, Skyports and iot squared will explore further opportunities to scale drone operations across Saudi Arabia’s ongoing and upcoming giga-projects.

Daniel O’Neill, General Manager, Middle East, at Skyports said, “With its strong focus on innovative infrastructure and mobility, Saudi Arabia has long been a key target market for us. The efforts of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, have fostered a progressive regulatory environment that has been instrumental in unlocking the drone operations for the country. We’re excited to work alongside iot squared and bring our expertise in inter-island drone delivery to Saudi Arabia, demonstrating how drone technology can enhance efficiency and connectivity for world-renowned giga-projects.”

Othman Aldahash, iot squared CEO, said: Our partnership with Skyports reinforces iot squared’s position as a key player in IoT and drone-enabled solutions. By focusing on complex operations in remote and offshore locations, we’re addressing critical missions that demand high precision and where traditional methods are often expensive or inefficient. Together, we aim to deliver impactful, cost-effective alternatives that redefine operational excellence in key sectors."

Related

British Airways updates app with seamless booking and travel features
British Airways updates app
British Airways updates app with seamless booking and travel features
British Airways is rolling out a redesigned mobile app with faster booking, live flight notifications, passport scanning, self-service disruption tools and more.
Aerospace

7 Jul 2026

NATS switches on Swanwick solar project to power UK air traffic control centre
NATS Swanwick solar installation
NATS switches on Swanwick solar project to power UK air traffic control centre
NATS is switching on its largest solar power plant as it inducts more than 5,700 panels to power its centre at Swanwick.
Aerospace Member News

7 Jul 2026

Air Arabia launches Gatwick-Sharjah route as airport network grows
The launch of Air Arabia’s new twice-daily service to London Gatwick from Sharjah (SHJ) in the United Arab Emirates
Air Arabia launches Gatwick-Sharjah route as airport network grows
The inaugural flight between the two airports took place on 4 July, a four month delay to the originally slated start date of March 2026 owing to the war in Iran. 
Aerospace

6 Jul 2026

UK joins NATO initiative to explore multinational Airbus A400M airlift fleet
A400M Flare Jettison
UK joins NATO initiative to explore multinational Airbus A400M airlift fleet
The UK joins Belgium, Croatia, France, Poland, Spain and Türkiye in a NATO initiative to explore a shared Airbus A400M fleet for strategic airlift.
Defence Most Read

7 Jul 2026

The Princess Royal joins NATO industry leaders as ADS supports UK-hosted NIAG Plenary
Princess Royal NATO NIAG Plenary in Portsmouth supported by ADS
The Princess Royal joins NATO industry leaders as ADS supports UK-hosted NIAG Plenary
The Princess Royal joined senior NATO defence industry representatives aboard HMS Warrior as ADS supported the UK-hosted NIAG Plenary in Portsmouth.
IISS report warns Russian-linked drones may be surveying British airbases
British Army drones and the defence investment plan
IISS report warns Russian-linked drones may be surveying British airbases
An IISS report has linked drone sightings over British military bases to Russia’s wider unconventional campaign in Europe, but critics say the evidence falls short of proof.
Defence

7 Jul 2026

Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Aeolus 2 by Airbus UK
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Airbus Defence and Space UK has been authorised to begin building Aeolus-2, a next-generation ESA and EUMETSAT weather satellite designed to deliver global wind measurements for more accurate forecasting, aviation operations and climate monitoring.
Space

6 Jul 2026

BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated the ability of its Endura system-on-chip (Soc) space processor…
Space

29 Jun 2026

BAE Systems to build high-res imagery satellites for Vantor
BAE Systems to build high-res imagery satellites for Vantor
BAE Systems has entered into an agreement to build high-resolution imaging satellite buses for Vantor, a provider of unified spatial intelligence from space to ground.
Space

25 Jun 2026

Police leadership overhaul puts UK security capability under the spotlight
College of Policing image showing officers on the beat
Police leadership overhaul puts UK security capability under the spotlight
A major review of police leadership in England and Wales has warned that future UK security capability will depend on stronger leadership, skills and workforce planning as public safety organisations respond to more complex threats.
Security

7 Jul 2026

Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection has completed its transition from Smiths Group to CVC Capital Partners (CVC), a private markets investment firm.
Aerospace Security

1 Jul 2026

Serbus acquires Westica
Serbus acquires Westica
Serbus acquires Westica
Provider of secure Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) networking and communication solutions, Serbus, has acquired Westica Communications Limited (Westica), for an undisclosed sum.
Defence Security

30 Jun 2026