Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Saudi Arabia is stepping up its bid for a stake in the advanced air mobility sector, with Wa’ed Ventures, the venture capital arm of oil and gas giant Aramco, this week investing $14 million in drone operations and uncrewed traffic management (UTM) group Terra Drone. The Japan-based company, which has previously raised $83 million, will now establish a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia to develop services such as drone surveys and develop infrastructure that could support eVTOL aircraft operations.
The new Terra Drone Arabia business unit is an extension of the group’s network across nine other countries and including its European division Unifly. With partners including Indra and Frequentis, the group has run flight operations and UTM management contracts in Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Bulgaria, Austria, Spain, and Malawi. It is also now seeking to expand in both Southeast Asia and North America.
Through its Vision 2030 program, the Saudi government is seeking to nudge the country’s economy beyond its dependence on the energy sector. This strategy includes the <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-12-01/saudi-tech-city-neom-set-become-urban-air-mobility-incubator">Neom regional development project</a> that will see the construction of a vast “industrial city” for which a ground-up transportation network is expected to include eVTOL air taxis and drone delivery services.
In October 2022, government-controlled<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-10-26/saudi-arabian-airlines-and-lilium-agree-develop-evtol-network-saudi-arabia"> Saudi Arabian Airlines </a>signed an agreement with eVTOL aircraft developer <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/aircraft-program/lilium-jet">Lilium </a>that could see it acquire 100 of its Lilium Jets. The airline said it intends to use the six-passenger vehicles to provide point-to-point connections and feeder flights into its main hub airports.
Unifly, which competes with UTM providers such as Air Map and Altitude Angel, has been a partner in the European Union-backed <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-02-08/next-phase-sesars-gulf-finland-airspace-integration-project-starts">Gulf of Finland U-Space</a> project to support the integration of drones and eVTOL aircraft into controlled airspace. In early 20021, this work included live flight trials in which <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/aircraft-program/volocity">Volocopter’s eVTOL technology demonstrator</a> operated alongside scheduled airlines at Helsinki International Airport.
In its home country, Terra Drone is involved in work to prepare for the 2025 Osaka Expo in the southwest of Japan. For this project, the company has just embarked on a new round of UTM demonstration trials with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
According to company director Teppei Seki, oil and gas companies are a large part of Terra Drone’s customer base, and increasingly these entities are looking to invest in drone operators. He sees opportunities to support these companies, as well as sectors such as construction where there is a need for extensive inspection flights.
“We also want to be partners to eVTOL aircraft manufacturers and this could include providing UTM for air taxi operations,” he told FutureFlight. The company, which was established in 2016, has had talks with Chinese eVTOL pioneer EHang about possible cooperation.
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Charles Alcock

Saudi Arabian energy group Aramco is investing in Terra Drone to boost its ambitions in advanced air mobility business models, including drone and eVTOL aircraft operations, as a path to diversifying its economy. (Image: Terra Drone)

Saudi Oil Giant Backs Drone Operations and Traffic Management Group Terra Drone

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