Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

Skyports secures Irelandia Aviation funding

London based urban air mobility infrastructure (UAM) provider and drone delivery operator, Skyports, today announced an extension to its Series A funding to now total £6 million ($8 million) with investment from Irelandia Aviation.

Above: The Skyports fixed-wing delivery drone.
Courtesy Skyports

Irelandia Aviation joins existing Series A investors Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures, Groupe ADP and Levitate Capital in the investment round.

Skyports intends to use the funds to continue its ambitious programme of site acquisition for passenger and cargo vertiports in cities around the world, including Singapore and Los Angeles. The company will also expand its team to enable the full commercialisation of its urban and rural drone delivery services.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

Founder and managing partner of Irelandia Aviation, Declan Ryan, will take a seat on the Skyports board.

Duncan Walker, Chief Executive of Skyports, said: “Irelandia Aviation have been pioneers in the aviation industry for many years.  Irelandia and the Ryan family have founded five airlines including Ryanair in Europe, Tiger Airways in Asia, Allegiant in the USA and Viva Air in Latin America where Declan is Executive Chairman.

"It is a privilege to welcome Declan to our board and testament to our ambition that he will be taking this position. Their investment further strengthens our financial position. Skyports investors have a combined balance sheet in excess of €80 billion (£70 billion) putting us in a unique position to build scale in this emerging industry.”

Declan Ryan, Managing Partner of Irelandia Aviation, said: “We are delighted to partner with the team at Skyports who have become leaders in the development of the infrastructure required to enable the UAM industry.

"We at Irelandia look forward to working with Skyports, aviation regulators, manufacturers and operators to expand in new markets and make UAM and drone services a reality globally. We look forward to furthering Irelandia’s demonstrated track record of democratising air travel around the world.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Skyports is connecting the world through our skies by building and operating critical infrastructure for urban air mobility and managing end to end drone deliveries.

Skyports is working with the leading electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger and cargo vehicle manufacturers around the world to secure, design, build, own and operate vertiports enabling safe and efficient flight operations within urban and suburban environments.

In addition, Skyports develops, implements and operates end-to-end cargo drone deliveries within the medical, e-commerce and logistics sectors overcoming inefficiencies associated with traditional transportation methods.

Based in London, United Kingdom, Skyports has projects operating in multiple continents, including in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
First Jupiter HC2 enters service in the UK

Aerospace

First Jupiter HC2 enters service in the UK

8 January 2026

The Joint Aviation Command (JAC) has officially welcomed the Jupiter HC2 into service, marking a significant milestone in modernising the UK’s rotary wing capability.

MTC accelerates strategic vision with non-exec appointments

Aerospace

MTC accelerates strategic vision with non-exec appointments

7 January 2026

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has appointed Natascha Engel, Professor Paul Monks CB and Professor Rachel O’Reilly MBE as non-executive directors to its board, strengthening its commitment to deliver the UK’s industrial strategy and drive innovation in advanced manufacturing.

Norton Rose Fulbright expands global aviation offering

Aerospace

Norton Rose Fulbright expands global aviation offering

7 January 2026

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has further strengthened its global aviation practice with the appointment of aviation finance partner Leo Fattorini as its Head of Aircraft Finance, Asia and the Middle East, based in Singapore.

IFS to acquire Softeon

Aerospace Defence Security

IFS to acquire Softeon

6 January 2026

IFS today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Softeon, a provider of cloud-native Warehouse Management, Warehouse Execution and Distributed Order Management solutions.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Luton Airport and University of Beds sign AI partnership

Aerospace

Luton Airport and University of Beds sign AI partnership

6 January 2026

London Luton Airport (LLA) and the University of Bedfordshire have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration.

STARLUX takes delivery of first Airbus A350-1000

Aerospace

STARLUX takes delivery of first Airbus A350-1000

6 January 2026

STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has taken delivery of its first of 18 A350-1000s, becoming the 11th global operator of the largest version of the A350.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB