South Korean drone developer Airbility will be taking part in a drone pilot training programme in the Philippines, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Danao City Government in Cebu, Philippines and Singapore-based KILSA Global.
Under the agreement, the three parties will jointly pursue the implementation of a Drone Pilot Training Program in Danao City. The scope of collaboration includes the provision of drone pilot training modules and certified trainers, the delivery of drone systems, technical manuals, and technical support, as well as future deployment and application of Airbility aircraft in local programs.
As the drone partner, Airbility’s responsibilities in the partnership will be to bring in next-generation aerial mobility platforms based on high-speed eVTOL aircraft. The company has ample experience in this, having worked with several partners across the ASEAN region, which include Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, in areas such as public safety, logistics, and disaster response.
This collaboration with Danao City is particularly significant as it represents an education-focused partnership that goes beyond aircraft and technology supply to encompass local workforce development.
“Each party brings a distinctive role to the partnership,” read an excerpt of the statement released after the MoU was signed.
“Airbility will provide drone training curricula, certified trainers, drone systems, and technical support.
“The Danao City Government will nominate participants from local institutions, provide training facilities and logistics, and integrate the program into the city’s innovation and mobility initiatives.
“KILSA Global will coordinate regional and institutional engagement, monitor project milestones, and support ASEAN-level knowledge-sharing.”
The implementation will be phased, beginning with an approximately six-month long Trainers Training program, followed by a twelve-month technology delivery and field deployment phase.
By prioritising trainer certification ahead of full-scale deployment, the partnership ensures that local operational capabilities will be in place when the technology is fully deployed.
“The core of this partnership is to directly cultivate drone operating personnel in the Philippines and build a practical technology utilization framework on that foundation,” said Jinmo Lee, CEO of Airbility.
“Through a phased approach that links training with technology deployment, we aim to create a sustainable drone ecosystem.”