UAE residents to receive faster and cheaper package deliveries via drones

November 20, 2023

Drone deliveries are set to land in the United Arab Emirates, offering customers speedy delivery and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Dronamics, the world’s very first cargo drone airline, has teamed up with the logistics company Aramex to launch drone delivery flights, with the aim of cutting parcel delivery times.

Aramex’s Chief Operating Officer, Alaa Saoudi, states that leveraging innovative drone technology from Dronamics will enable customers to receive their courier packages, offering same-day middle-mile and long-range deliveries within the region. Additionally, these drones will be equipped with cutting-edge technology and safety measures intended to facilitate safer and more efficient deliveries.

The collaborative move is expected to reduce carbon emissions, improve productivity, and lower costs. Slashing delivery times is a key focus for the partnership, as the program aims to offer up to 80% faster, 50% cheaper, and 60% lower CO2 emissions compared to traditional delivery services. Dronamics’ CEO, Svilen Rangelov, expressed excitement over the partnership with Aramex, highlighting the potential benefits of rapid, cost-effective, and sustainable same-day delivery services.

Drone delivery isn’t an entirely new concept, as Dubai previously conducted a drone delivery trial for the safe transportation of consumer goods within the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). The zone serves as a testbed for various robotics and autonomous systems, highlighting its commitment to exploring innovative modes of transportation.

Looking ahead, Aramex’s Global Director of Innovation, Angad Singh, also anticipates a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions for express cargo movements, emphasizing the potential impact of the collaboration on the firm’s Innovation teams – Future Vehicle Program. He further believes that it is well-suited for express deliveries, opening up new possibilities for the transportation industry.

As part of their collaboration, Aramex and Dronamics plan to explore potential deployment opportunities in key markets, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Australia. They are in the process of conducting pilot flights with Dronamics to assess the feasibility of deploying cargo drones across a wider network of markets in the near future.

Black Swan, Dronamics’ remotely-piloted aircraft, will be used to carry cargo across key routes within the region, offering a promising solution to reach remote and underserved areas with limited airport infrastructure. Saoudi adds that they aim to launch pilot flights in 2024, with a focus on optimising technology to deliver a seamless customer experience.

The partnership between Dronamics and Aramex marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the logistics industry, paving the way for more efficient and environmentally-friendly delivery options. With flights set to commence as early as next year, UAE residents can soon look forward to their packages being delivered safely and swiftly via drone technology.