OSN and Cornwall Airport Newquay agree advanced aviation partnership

Open Skies Network (OSN) and Cornwall Airport Newquay have announced a partnership aimed at expanding advanced aviation capabilities in Cornwall and supporting the development of drone, autonomous and electric aircraft operations in the region.

image: OSN/Cornwall Airport Newquay

Under the agreement, OSN — which describes itself as the airspace, infrastructure and enabling systems network provider for the next generation of flight — will gain access to Cornwall Airport Newquay’s newly installed air traffic control radar infrastructure, which the organisations said would expand operational flight capabilities and support future aviation projects. The partnership could also support proposed NHS medical drone deliveries between mainland Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Cornwall Airport Newquay will join OSN’s wider network of “New Aviation” sites, with the airport seeking to diversify beyond traditional passenger aviation activity. The agreement is intended to complement existing aerospace initiatives linked to Spaceport Cornwall and other aviation projects in the county.

Cornwall has been identified as a potential testing environment due to its existing airport infrastructure, segregated airspace and aerospace activity cluster.

Gareth Whatmore, chief executive of Open Skies Network, said the partnership would strengthen the company’s existing work in Cornwall, including its previously announced DronePort and aviation campus project at ASONE Park in St Merryn. Earlier this year, OSN revealed plans to establish infrastructure for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft and drone operations at the former airfield site.

According to the organisations, the collaboration is designed to support research, testing and commercial deployment of emerging aviation technologies, including autonomous aircraft, electric aviation systems and drone logistics services. Cornwall Airport Newquay said the agreement forms part of a broader strategy to attract new aerospace operators and generate additional revenue streams linked to future aviation technologies.

The announcement comes as Cornwall continues efforts to position itself as a regional aerospace and advanced aviation hub. Spaceport Cornwall and Cornwall Airport Newquay have been involved in several projects related to drone testing, satellite launch infrastructure and autonomous aviation development.