In a strategic move to dominate the burgeoning unmanned traffic management (UTM) market, Spanish technology leader Indra Group has acquired the GuardianUTM platform from UK-based Altitude Angel. This acquisition significantly expands Indra’s portfolio, integrating a proven, modular cloud platform for planning, approving, and managing drone flights.
The deal positions Indra as a comprehensive provider in the drone ecosystem. GuardianUTM’s technology, including its “Drone Assist” pilot application and airspace monetization modules, allows Indra to offer an end-to-end service model. This enables airports, air navigation providers, and landowners to potentially charge for controlled access to their airspace, creating new revenue streams from the growing volume of unmanned flights.
“For Indra, a global leader in air traffic management, this acquisition prepares us for the next era of growth,” stated Víctor Martínez, Managing Director of ATM at Indra. “We are not only solidifying our position as a flagship company in UTM—a segment with massive potential—but also deepening our commitment to the strategic UK market.”
The United Kingdom is a key focus for Indra, which has previously strengthened its local presence through acquisitions like ParkAir and MicroNav. GuardianUTM brings an established foothold, boasting a customer base across Europe and Asia that includes 64 airports and over 350,000 users. This instantly enhances Indra’s scale and market penetration in the region.
The UTM sector is forecast for rapid expansion as drones become critical for surveillance, logistics, and infrastructure inspection. Effective UTM systems are essential to safely integrate this rising number of aircraft into shared airspace. By merging its own expertise with GuardianUTM’s scalable platform, Indra aims to set the global standard for managing this new layer of aviation, offering a unified solution from flight planning to monetization.
