Skyports to advance drone technology in Saudi Arabia
Skyports Drone Services (Skyports) is expanding into Saudi Arabia through a collaboration with iot squared, a joint venture between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and telecom company stc group.
The partnership will focus on integrating drone technology into the country’s large-scale infrastructure and real estate developments, known as giga-projects.
As part of the initiative, Skyports will apply its expertise in beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for a proof-of-concept designed to showcase the potential of drones in streamlining transport solutions.
Additionally, the company will support efforts to build a BVLOS-friendly ecosystem to facilitate the growth of drone operations in Saudi Arabia.
This includes assisting iot squared in developing a remote command and control centre.
Moreover, the proof-of-concept aims to demonstrate how drone services can enhance operational efficiency while supporting sustainable transport solutions.
By highlighting practical applications, the initiative will pave the way for wider adoption of drone technology across Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects.
Strategic move
Furthermore, Skyports has successfully deployed drone services across various industries, including healthcare, maritime, energy, and infrastructure.
The company has collaborated with major organisations such as Royal Mail, Equinor, and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
With this experience, it is well-positioned to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s smart infrastructure and mobility plans by introducing automated cargo delivery solutions.
“With its strong focus on innovative infrastructure and mobility, Saudi Arabia has long been a key market for us,” said Daniel O’Neill, General Manager, Middle East at Skyports.
He added, “The efforts of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services (MOT) have played a vital role in enabling drone operations in the country. We’re excited to bring our expertise to Saudi Arabia, demonstrating how drone technology can enhance efficiency and connectivity for major giga-projects.”
Othman Aldahash, CEO of iot squared, added, “Our partnership with Skyports strengthens iot squared’s role in IoT and drone-enabled solutions. By focusing on complex operations in remote and offshore locations, we are addressing challenges where traditional methods are costly or inefficient. Together, we aim to provide impactful, cost-effective solutions that drive operational excellence in key sectors.”
Looking ahead, Skyports and iot squared will explore additional opportunities to expand drone operations across Saudi Arabia’s current and upcoming giga-projects.