Skyports Drone Services acquires Redbird Aero, entering Australian market

Skyports Drone Services, a drone delivery and inspection service for healthcare, maritime, logistics and energy use cases, has acquired Redbird Aero, an Australian large cargo drone operator. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for both companies, signifying Skyports’ official entry into the Australian market and advancing uncrewed aviation in Australia.

With this expansion into Australia, Skyports is set to apply its expertise in remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to improve healthcare access and strengthen supply chain resilience across rural and remote regions. Moreover, it will expand its automated drone inspection services that simplify difficult, time-consuming and dangerous jobs, such as linear asset inspection, waterway monitoring and real-time surveillance.

Scott Wheeler, Founder and former CEO of Redbird Aero, who through the acquisition now joins Skyports as Head of APAC, Drone Services, added: “I’m thrilled to welcome Skyports to the Australian RPAS market. Skyports’ extensive experience and attitude to safety make it the ideal partner to fulfil Redbird Aero’s mission in helping, serving and protecting people in regional and remote parts of Australia.”

Alex Brown, Director of Drone Services at Skyports, commented: “The potential for drone delivery and inspection services in Australia is huge due to its unique geography. We’ll be bringing our proven delivery and inspection services and existing customer partnerships to Australia. Thanks to the great baseline built by Scott and Redbird Aero, we hope to expand rapidly into the market, with our first flights starting within weeks.”

Last month Airservices Australia appointed Frequentis Australasia to develop a new flight information management system to allow the “seamless” incorporation of drones, air taxis and other uncrewed aircraft into Australian airspace.