Open Skies Network, a UK-based aviation technology and consultancy, has announced a partnership with ASONE Park to develop what it describes as England’s first DronePort and aviation campus at St Merryn Aerodrome in north Cornwall.

The initiative is designed to support testing, development, and operational readiness for new aviation technologies, including drones, eVTOLs, and eSTOL (electric short take-off and landing) aircraft. The project will also integrate broader R&D and flight testing capabilities for both crewed and uncrewed platforms.

ASONE Park, a £140 million redevelopment project in Cornwall, is a mixed-use business and innovation campus that hosts film studios, creative industries, live-work spaces, and technology infrastructure. St Merryn Aerodrome forms part of the park and will serve as the aviation hub within this broader campus.

Gareth Whatmore, CEO of Open Skies Network, said, “We are really excited to announce this partnership, which will position Open Skies Network at ASONE Park as a centre for next-generation aviation technologies. Cornwall is already home to several growing aerospace and space clusters, including activity around Newquay Airport and Spaceport Cornwall.

“St Merryn Aerodrome will complement these initiatives; providing additional testing, development and operational capacity for future aviation services, such as the drone delivery service we are currently developing for the NHS between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”

The partnership involves multiple stakeholders: Open Skies Network provides technical expertise and programme leadership for advanced aviation platforms, while ASONE Park contributes the land, infrastructure, and integration into its broader campus of creative, commercial, and high-tech facilities.

Rob Simpson, director at ASONE Park, said “We are delighted that Open Skies Network has agreed to lead development of the aviation campus at ASONE Park. Its work opening up the skies to support the next generation of aviation technologies continues St Merryn Aerodrome’s long history of aviation innovation and promises, not only to add value for the aviation industry itself, but also to create a unique capability propositionfor the park.

“We look forward to working closely with the team to deliver our shared vision of a park that is a genuine hub for aviation, technology and innovation, building on Cornwall’s growing reputation as a centre for the aerospace and creative industries, and bringing new, high-value jobs to the area.”

The new aviation campus is expected to host a variety of activities, including high-technology readiness testing, R&D programmes, flight demonstrations, and operational training for both drones and crewed aircraft. It is intended to strengthen Cornwall’s growing aerospace and space ecosystem, complementing initiatives at Spaceport Cornwall and regional drone hubs.

The project reflects a growing emphasis on regional hubs that can support next-generation aviation technologies and supports a broader strategy to position Cornwall as a leading centre for advanced air mobility and drone innovation, providing a platform for testing, deployment, and eventual commercial scaling of emerging aviation technologies.

Open Skies Network to create Cornish DronePort to support next‑gen aviation

Open Skies Network, a UK-based aviation technology and consultancy, has announced a partnership with ASONE Park to develop what it describes as England’s first DronePort and aviation campus at St Merryn Aerodrome in north Cornwall.

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Open Skies Network, a UK-based aviation technology and consultancy, has announced a partnership with ASONE Park to develop what it describes as England’s first DronePort and aviation campus at St Merryn Aerodrome in north Cornwall.