March 27, 2026
Skyports Drone Services brings automated BVLOS “drone-in-a-box” aerial surveying to German construction leader HOCHTIEF, piloted from Spain
Conducting routine aerial surveying of the Rheinbrücke Leverkusen bridge in Cologne, Germany, technology will provide HOCHTIEF with next level data insights to accurately manage construction progress
London, UK, 27th March 2026 – Skyports Drone Services (Skyports), the global leader in drone delivery and inspection services, has partnered with HOCHTIEF to provide automated BVLOS “drone-in-a-box” aerial surveying of the Rheinbrücke Leverkusen bridge construction site, on the River Rhein, north of Cologne, Germany.
In an innovative addition to the deployment, Skyports is overseeing its drone missions from its Remote Operation Centre (ROC) in Madrid, Spain, negating the need for on-site pilots, providing significant flexibility and efficiencies.
For the deployment Skyports has installed a fixed “drone-in-a-box” system at the construction site. Conducting weekly automated BVLOS drone surveys, the survey data collected helps HOCHTIEF to build a layered picture of how the build is progressing week on week. The bridge is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by 2028, requiring extensive earthworks, the removal of the old bridge, and new construction on both the east and west banks.
Previously, progress monitoring of the construction site was mostly manual and subjective. Some drone surveys had been conducted, but these were limited, infrequent, and required on-site personnel. With advancements in drone technology and Skyports’ expertise, this process has now been fully automated – eliminating the need for on-site pilots or access.
To provide detailed next-level data, the data collected by the drone is being processed by DroneDeploy, providing both 2D and 3D survey outputs for progress monitoring reports. Providing a detailed 3D model of the bridge each week, it allows HOCHTIEF to track construction progress and monitor any occurrences, helping to identify any issues early and reduce the chance of overruns or delays to the project.
Alex Brown, CEO, Skyports Drone Services, said: “Large infrastructure projects are incredibly intricate and complex, with construction companies under pressure to deliver on time and on budget. With automated “drone-in-a-box” surveys like this we’re providing alternate perspectives and deep level data insights that can improve resource planning and catch any potential issues early, helping keep projects on track. Piloting the drone remotely also means we are creating operational efficiencies, improving cost and data outputs for our customers.”
Klaus Grüttner, Executive Vice President Europe, HOCHTIEF Infrastructure, said: “By partnering with Skyports, we have a leading innovator in drone technology at our side to drive our complex construction projects. This cooperation enables us to monitor the construction progress seamlessly and cost-efficiently and to provide targeted support in billing, especially in earthworks. In addition, we benefit from precise surveying data that supports a continuous target/actual comparison and the optimization of our construction processes.”
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About Skyports Drone Services
Skyports Drone Services is the world’s leading drone airline. We are experts in BVLOS flight for delivery and inspection use cases. We partner with maritime and offshore industries, healthcare providers, infrastructure and asset owners, and public bodies to improve connectivity, safety and sustainability with drone operations. Skyports Drone Services is committed to scaling the drone industry to enable businesses and individuals to reap the rewards of drone technology.
Find out more at: www.skyportsdroneservices.com
About HOCHTIEF
HOCHTIEF is an engineering-led global infrastructure solutions provider with leading positions in North America, Australia and Europe and a strong presence in the rapidly expanding strategic growth markets of data centers, energy and sustainable infrastructure markets. With around 57,000 employees and a sales volume of EUR 33.3 billion in 2024, HOCHTIEF is the leading construction management and green building company in the U.S. (through Turner), the largest contractor in the Australian infrastructure services market (CIMIC), a key player in U.S. transportation infrastructure (FlatironDragados) and a renowned civil engineering and building construction company in Europe. The Group’s PPP and infrastructure development activity is complemented by its 20% stake in the leading international toll road concessions operator Abertis. HOCHTIEF’s strong competitive position is underpinned by the Group’s engineering know-how, innovative digital systems and supply chain & logistics solutions. Thanks to its long-standing commitment to sustainability, HOCHTIEF, where green projects account for almost 50% of Group sales, has been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices since 2006 and is committed to delivering on its ESG agenda including a net-zero target for 2045.
Further information is available at www.hochtief.com
Media contact
Doug Anson
Senior Communications & Marketing Manager
(+44) 7961 444 350