The test site where tomorrow’s drones take off today

Advanced drone technology already exists and is mainly used in isolated operations. However, legislation and infrastructure have not kept pace with rapid technological progress. This gap means that many of the opportunities drones offer are still not being fully realised.

From idea to reality

Arctic Aviation Hub, the electric aviation development programme led by Skellefteå Science City, quickly became involved in drone related issues. Skellefteå Science City’s mission is to bring together different stakeholders to collaborate in the green transition. A strong focus on sustainability and driven individuals led to the Droneport concept being born during a workshop about the Hammarängen industrial area. Combined with bold investors and decisive municipal leadership, the plans for construction were soon set in motion.

Skellefteå Municipality, Skellefteå Airport and other key stakeholders chose not to wait for the perfect solution. Skanska’s proposed site proved ideal, offering a location close to the city, a tent hangar and a clear mission: test, learn and develop.

“We could have waited and invested in a larger flagship project. Instead, we chose to start where we stood. What matters is getting operations up and running and beginning to learn,” says Annelie Viksten, Business Developer at Skellefteå Science City.

Skellefteå Science City has led the development from feasibility study to operations, coordinated partnerships, secured funding and ensured that every step contributes to learning. The ambition is to make innovation possible, not someday, but now.

Where innovation takes flight

In June 2025, Skellefteå Droneport was inaugurated at Hammarängen in Skellefteå as a test bed for private companies, public authorities and academia. The site is becoming a hub for developing a technology with enormous potential.

Even before the official opening, projects were already underway and ideas for how drones can perform valuable public services continue to grow. Drones are already used for inspection, measurement, transport and surveillance. Ongoing initiatives include snow load assessments on rooftops, hydrogen powered drones and new logistics solutions.

“We hope Skellefteå Droneport will play a key role as a hub for gathering and developing drone services. Much of the technology is already available, but several barriers must be overcome before it can be widely implemented. The airspace is not unregulated,” says Annelie Viksten.

The cold climate, snowy conditions and relatively uncongested airspace around Skellefteå make Skellefteå Droneport unique. At the same time, its proximity to the city and the airport makes it possible to test drone operations in a real and demanding environment. The goal is to strengthen understanding of how the technology can be used in practice, not just in theory, but in everyday life and at scale.