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

Terra Drone has acquired a majority stake in uncrewed air traffic management (UTM) specialist Unifly. The Japanese group said the deal completed this week to take its equity holding in the Europe-based company to 51 percent will boost its growth plans in both drone operations and the urban air mobility sector.
Unifly’s UTM platform is already fully compliant with Europe’s U-space regulations that govern uncrewed aircraft and could be applied to future eVTOL vehicle operations. According to Terra Drone, the technology can be adapted to meet air safety requirements in other jurisdictions, including the Canadian RPAS regulation.
Terra Drone, which has not disclosed how much it has now paid to take its interest to 51 percent, was the lead investor in Unifly’s 2016 Series A funding round and the subsequent Series B round in 2018. In 2022, the government-backed Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-03-23/air-traffic-management-group-terra-drone-boosted-70-million-funding-round">took a stake in Terra Drone and&nbsp;Unifly</a>.
Unifly now provides UTM systems to air navigation service providers in more than eight countries, including Canada, Spain, Germany, and Belgium. It competes with other UTM providers such as Air Map and Altitude Angel.
The platform supports the integration of drones with manned aircraft. For NavCanada’s UTM deployment, more than 100,000 flight approvals have already been processed through the system.
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 <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/futureflight/import/UTM%E2%91%A3.png" width="2866" height="1488" alt="Unifly's uncrewed air traffic management system" title="Unifly's uncrewed air traffic management system can support drones and eVTOL aircraft using the same low-altitude airspace. (Image: Unifly)">

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 <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Unifly's uncrewed air traffic management system can support drones and eVTOL aircraft using the same low-altitude airspace. (Image: Unifly)</div>
 
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<figcaption>Unifly's uncrewed air traffic management system can support drones and eVTOL aircraft using the same low-altitude airspace. (Image: Unifly)</figcaption>
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The Unifly technology is also in service in multiple local deployments such as the Port of Antwerp in Belgium, where autonomous beyond visual line of sight drone flights are conducted on a daily basis. Saudi Arabian authorities have selected the UTM platform to support their ambitions to implement aerial air mobility services in the <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-01-25/saudi-oil-giant-backs-drone-operations-and-traffic-management-group-terra">planned mega city of Neom</a>, which is being built on the country’s Red Sea coast. In January, Wa’ed Ventures, the venture capital arm of oil and gas giant Aramco, invested $14 million Terra Drone, which is establishing a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia.
“From the beginning of the drone industry, Terra Drone saw the immense potential of UTM,” commented Terra Drone founder and CEO Toru Tokushige. “Unifly is focused on strengthening this partnership by using their advanced technology and experience to improve the safe and efficient use of drones in key areas like surveying, inspections, logistics, security, and disaster response, among others.”
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Charles Alcock

Unifly's uncrewed air traffic management system is deployed in Belgium's Port of Antwerp. (Image: Unifly)

Terra Drone Takes Controlling Stake in Uncrewed Traffic Management Provider Unifly

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