HCA Airport is a Central Hub for Drone Companies
For the first time, HCA Airport is expanding its business park to meet the growing demand from companies eager to establish themselves at the airport. Dedrone by Axon and Codrone are a few examples of drone companies that have recognized the airport’s attractive business opportunities.
HCA Airport has seen a growing demand from companies wanting to join its business park. For the first time in the airport’s history, the commercial area is expanding by 4 hectares. Currently hosting 25 companies, the airport will now accommodate even more companies within the fields of drones and manned aviation. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the airport’s strategy to become a central hub for aviation development – both manned and unmanned.
“We’re experiencing an increasing demand from companies wanting to join our ecosystem. The current capacity of the business park is fully utilized, which makes this expansion necessary to meet that demand.”
Drones on the runway
One of the areas where the airport is experiencing growing interest is from drone companies. This interest is largely driven by the presence of UAS Denmark, who operates a test center at the airport. The center provides unique facilities for a robust testing environment, making it both attractive and feasible for companies to develop their technology. The test center has already attracted companies such as Codrone, Altomaxx and Dedrone by Axon.
This autumn, Codrone announced its arrival at the airport. Codrone is a startup born out of the University of Southern Denmark. They offer automated and pilotless drone technology for monitoring critical infrastructure, documenting construction projects, providing aerial event overviews, enhancing security, and much more.
Despite being a newly founded company, Codrone already has deep roots in the airport’s ecosystem. Kristian Husum Larsen, one of Codrone’s two founders, has been part of the airport’s drone community since 2015. Back then, he was part of SDU’s first class of drone engineers and frequently worked at the test center. The other co-founder, Jarl Møller Banke, was supervised by Kristian during his master’s project. Both founders have transitioned from being part of the research community to becoming full-fledged entrepreneurs in the drone sector.
Altomaxx could also celebrate their latest expansion with the new location at HCA Airport this year. Altomaxx is a company specialized in design and maintenance of commercial as well as privately owned airplanes and helicopters. At the airport, the primary focus will be implementing ISO 21384-3 within the European market, enhancing safety, compliance, and continuity across various programs. This expansion is also pivotal for their projects involving UAS-based magnetometry, fugitive emissions, and much more.
Dedrone by Axon’s entrance
Dedrone by Axon is currently a global leader in smart airspace security. They dominated the defense sector in 2023 and closed 16 major contracts globally. Dedrone by Axon have developed smart airspace security and drone detection software. Their powerful detection software utilizes input from various sensors to detect the presence of a drone and determine drone and pilot location. Now they can also develop and test their technology at their office at HCA Airport, where they can particularly benefit from the presence of UAS Denmark Test Center.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the welcoming and supportive staff at our new office in Odense, Denmark. This strategically located airfield, in proximity to NATO operations, provides the ideal space to conduct comprehensive testing for our Group 1 through 3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) full kill-chain solutions, advancing our mission to deliver cutting-edge capabilities.”
Established in 2014, Dedrone by Axon is headquartered just outside of Washington, D.C., and has offices in San Francisco, Phoenix, London and Odense, just to name a few. Having Dedrone by Axon at HCA Airport as part of the drone ecosystem demonstrates the interest in establishing drone companies at the airport. Attracting companies like Dedrone by Axon, one of the market leaders in counter-drone technology and airspace security, highlights that Odense provides the right environment and testing facilities to create a hub for drone businesses.
Anders Boe-Hansen
Special Consultant - Offshore & Campus
I draw on cross-sectorial experience from dealing both with public sector and private commercial interests on the global maritime scene. In relation to Port of Odense and green growth and transition, I assist companies with connecting collaborating, and creating under the most optimal conditions. I additionally manage and coordinate the development and area transition of Campus Odense - aiming for Campus to become a world-leading hub for citizens, companies, and higher education.
+45 2037 2319
aboh@odense.dk
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