As drone use becomes more prevalent, Aerodrome announced it is building the world's first commercial "droneport" in Boulder City, Nev. The facility, which will be built on a 50-acre location 30 minutes away from Las Vegas, will prioritize commercial drones over manned aircrafts.
"This historic development has far-reaching implications, and will bring with it new aviation business opportunities, jobs and a profound new reputation for the U.S. as the world's leader in unmanned air systems," Jonathan Daniels, president of Aerodrome, said in an official statement.
The viability of a "droneport" in the U.S. is based on the data that there are now at least 2,500 companies in the country licensed to fly commercial drones. The global commercial UAS market size is also poised to be worth $2.07 billion by 2022, Aerodrome said.
The "droneport" could also contribute in addressing the growing need to regulate drone ownership and operations. For instance, a recent FAA proposal called for a policy where drone pilots will be required to secure registration numbers for their devices before they are allowed to fly, Fast Company reported. As a physical facility that can establish drone routes, the "droneport" could help build some form of system where drones can be regulated.
Aerodrome's facility in Nevada is not the only "droneport" gunning to be the world's first. There is also a proposal to build a "droneport" in Rwanda. This infrastructure, which was conceptualized by British architect Norman Foster, aims to become a drone hub that is capable of delivering supplies to remote areas in Africa, The Guardian reported. This proposed "droneport" is touted to be just one of several to be set-up in the continent.
