Kuwait Network Electronic Technology Co. (KNETCO) and Skyports Infrastructure signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 16, 2026, to develop the foundational infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations in Kuwait.

Announced via a company press release, the agreement establishes Skyports as KNETCO’s primary partner for vertiport development, joint market exploration, and stakeholder engagement within the country. The partnership is designed to combine KNETCO’s established telecommunications and critical infrastructure capabilities with Skyports’ specialized expertise in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) ground facilities.

Building Kuwait’s AAM ecosystem

The collaboration represents an initial step toward establishing a commercial AAM network in the Gulf state. KNETCO leadership emphasized that the successful deployment of air taxi services relies heavily on ground-level preparation, digital integration, and regulatory alignment.

“People often look at Advanced Air Mobility and see the aircraft. I see the infrastructure behind it,” said Khaled Samy Hall, CEO of KNETCO. “The vertiports, connectivity, digital platforms, operations, regulations, investors, and partnerships must all come together before a new mobility ecosystem can truly grow.”

Riham Al-Ghanim, Chairwoman of KNETCO, noted that the company is focused on long-term economic development and recognizes the necessity of close collaboration with government stakeholders to mature the sector. She described the Partnerships as a preparation for the industries that will shape the future economy.

Regional expansion for Skyports

For UK-based Skyports, the Kuwaiti MoU expands an already significant footprint in the Middle East. The company is currently constructing a vertiport network in Dubai, where its core vertiport facility, designated VDX, has already been completed ahead of planned commercial operations.

Daniel O’Neill, Middle-East General Manager for Skyports Infrastructure, stated that Kuwait possesses the strategic location and vision to become a key AAM market.

“With our vertiport network in Dubai well under construction, and with our core vertiport VDX already completed, we look forward to applying our industry leading skills and knowledge to Kuwait’s AAM future,” O’Neill said.

The agreement also drew support from the British Embassy in Kuwait. In a statement included in the release, the embassy highlighted the partnership as a model of bilateral cooperation merging British aviation expertise with Kuwaiti infrastructure capability.

AirPro News analysis

The MoU between KNETCO and Skyports highlights a maturing phase in the Advanced Air Mobility sector where the focus is shifting from aircraft certification to the physical realities of ground operations. We observe that while eVTOL manufacturers frequently dominate industry headlines, the absence of certified, grid-connected vertiports remains a primary bottleneck to commercial service entry.

By securing partnerships in Kuwait following its established projects in Dubai, Skyports is effectively standardizing its infrastructure model across the Middle East. Partnering with a local telecommunications and infrastructure firm like KNETCO is a calculated approach. AAM networks require robust digital integration, secure data links, and local regulatory navigation just as much as they require concrete landing pads.

Sources: Skyports Infrastructure

Norwegian aircraft manufacturer NOEMI Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Philippine operator Horizon Sun Charters (HSC) for up to five electric amphibious aircraft, establishing a foothold in the Southeast Asian seaplane market.

In a press release published on August 12, 2026, NOEMI Aerospace confirmed the agreement includes three firm aircraft and two options. The nine-passenger aircraft, targeted for entry into service in 2030, is designed to bypass conventional airport infrastructure by connecting coastal resorts and island destinations directly.

Expanding operations in the Philippines

The Philippine archipelago, comprising 7,641 islands, presents a distinct operational environment suited for amphibious aviation. Road and ferry transfers between islands are often lengthy, creating a market for direct air links that do not require runway construction.

Eric Lithun, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NOEMI Aerospace, highlighted the geographic alignment between the aircraft’s design and the region’s infrastructure needs.

“The geography of the Philippines makes a very strong case for seaplanes. With more than 7,600 islands, short distances and a strong ambition to develop its tourism industry, The Philippines offers exactly the kind of environment NOEMI is being designed for. This agreement strengthens our position in Southeast Asia and provides further confirmation of the commercial potential for electric amphibious aviation in the region.”

While NOEMI Aerospace is developing a fully electric aviation platform, the airframe is adaptable for hybrid-electric or conventional fuel-based propulsion. Raymond Schwab, Founder and Captain of HSC, indicated that the operator is looking closely at the hybrid configuration to maximize operational flexibility.

“We believe NOEMI is very well suited to the future of seaplane operations in the Philippines. With the hybrid version, we see the flexibility to operate a wide range of missions and serve the entire market. The ability to connect coastal resorts and island destinations directly and efficiently fits perfectly with our vision for a new generation of premium island access.”

Aircraft development and global market reach

NOEMI Aerospace, which rebranded from Elfly Group earlier in 2026 to emphasize its “No Emissions” focus, is advancing the development of its nine-passenger amphibious aircraft. The manufacturer is targeting 2027 for the start of test flights with a full-scale prototype. This phase of development is supported by a €3 million grant awarded by Innovation Norway in July 2026.

The agreement with HSC follows a series of commitments from international operators seeking to integrate amphibious aircraft into their networks.

Recent order momentum

On August 10, 2026, the same day the HSC agreement was signed, NOEMI Aerospace announced a separate MoU with Pawan Hans, India’s largest helicopter operator, to explore electric seaplane operations and wet lease options in India.

Earlier in the year, on January 19, 2026, US-based airline startup UrbanLink signed an agreement for 10 firm NOEMI aircraft and 10 options. UrbanLink plans to utilize the aircraft to develop a zero-emission network across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean.

AirPro News analysis

We note that NOEMI Aerospace is strategically targeting geographic regions where traditional runway infrastructure is either economically unviable or physically impossible to construct. The simultaneous focus on the Philippines, India, and the Caribbean indicates a clear market segmentation strategy for amphibious aircraft.

HSC’s specific interest in the hybrid-electric variant highlights a pragmatic approach by operators. Until remote island destinations can support high-capacity electrical charging infrastructure, hybrid propulsion offers the necessary range and operational flexibility while still allowing operators to transition toward lower-emission aviation.

Sources: NOEMI Aerospace

Syzygy Plasmonics and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced a framework agreement on August 18, 2026, to develop a pipeline of SAF projects across Latin America, beginning with a commercial-scale facility in Uruguay.

The partnership, detailed in a press release issued by Syzygy Plasmonics, pairs the company’s proprietary light-driven reactor technology with the IFC’s technical and commercial advisory services. The initiative targets emerging markets by utilizing regional renewable energy and biogas feedstocks to produce lower-carbon alternatives to conventional jet fuel.

The NovaSAF-1 project in Uruguay

The first project under this framework is NovaSAF-1, located in Durazno, Uruguay. The facility is projected to produce an estimated 350,000 gallons of SAF annually. Syzygy Plasmonics has set a target year of 2028 for the commencement of commercial-scale operations and initial fuel deliveries from the site.

NovaSAF-1 will utilize biogas sourced from the nearby Estancias Del Lago powdered milk plant. This biogas will be combined with Uruguayan renewable electricity to produce synthetic paraffinic kerosene. The production process integrates Syzygy’s light-driven technology with Fischer-Tropsch technology licensed from Velocys to maximize fuel output. According to Syzygy Plasmonics, this process yields an estimated reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of up to 90 percent compared with conventional jet fuel.

Commercial backing and offtake agreements

The IFC framework agreement follows established commercial commitments for the NovaSAF-1 facility. On January 20, 2026, global commodities group Trafigura signed a binding six-year offtake agreement to purchase the entire production volume from the Uruguayan plant. The agreement also includes an option for Trafigura to purchase additional volumes from future Syzygy projects.

Syzygy Plasmonics CEO Trevor Best described the commercial arrangements as a critical step toward commercial-scale impact and disrupting the SAF market. The IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, will provide advisory support to help scale these operations across the region.

“The transition to lower-carbon aviation will depend on technologies that are not only innovative, but commercially viable and scalable,” said Raphaël Eskinazi, IFC Regional Investment Manager for Manufacturing and Forests in Latin America and the Caribbean. “IFC’s role is to help bridge that transition: supporting pioneering projects that can mobilize private capital, demonstrate new business models and create pathways for broader market adoption across emerging economies.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the alignment of IFC advisory services, Trafigura’s guaranteed offtake, and Velocys’ established Fischer-Tropsch technology as a significant de-risking mechanism for Syzygy Plasmonics. Scaling novel SAF production methods, particularly those categorized as Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO), typically faces steep financing hurdles. By securing a guaranteed buyer for 100 percent of the initial plant’s output before finalizing the IFC framework, Syzygy has demonstrated a clear path to revenue.

Latin America presents a highly favorable environment for RFNBO production. The region offers abundant agricultural waste for biogas and a growing grid of renewable electricity. If NovaSAF-1 meets its 2028 production targets, the framework agreement with the IFC positions Syzygy to replicate this model rapidly across other agricultural and renewable energy hubs in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sources: Syzygy Plasmonics via PR Newswire (IFC Agreement)