Urban air mobility infrastructure provider Skyports has raised £5.35 million (US$7 million) in funding.
Lead investors in the company were railway operator Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures (DBDV) and airport operator Groupe ADP, as well as venture firm Levitate Capital, which first invested in Skyports in January 2018.
Skyports aims to build and operate infrastructure for air taxis, also known as eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft. The company also wants to manage end-to-end drone deliveries in sectors such as medical, e-commerce and logistics.
This funding allows Skyports to acquire sites for its passenger and cargo “vertiports” in cities around the world, including Singapore and Los Angeles. The first passenger vertiport was revealed in October in Singapore in partnership with air taxi developer Volocopter.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports said, “Our investors bring expertise in mobility, infrastructure and airport operations. Their significant balance sheets and strong leadership in their respective markets allow Skyports to consolidate its leading position in the industry in these early stages and through to permanent commercial operations in multiple markets.”
Edward Arkwright, deputy CEO of Groupe ADP said, “Vertical take-off and landing vehicles are a new expression of airport activity – infrastructure, vehicle handling and passenger experience – and we are setting ourselves up to play a leading role in the development of Urban Air Mobility in the Paris Region and internationally through our 25 airports worldwide.
“This strategic partnership will allow us to develop a deeper understanding of the emerging VTOL market and will provide strong synergies through Skyports’ expertise in urban areas.”
DBDV and Groupe ADP will take seats on the Skyports Board.
Skyports has projects operating in multiple continents, including in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa and has received substantial interest from landlords in the city state and other cities around the world.
