Blue Dart, a leading courier and integrated express package distribution company, has successfully initiated drone deliveries in collaboration with Skye Air, a pioneer in drone technology. This strategic move is aimed at revolutionizing last-mile delivery services by leveraging advanced drone technology to enhance logistics efficiency and sustainability.
In an exchange filing, Blue Dart highlighted the potential of drone technology to significantly improve delivery operations, marking a major step towards cleaner and more efficient delivery solutions. This partnership builds upon their previous Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) trials conducted in Vikarabad, Hyderabad, in September 2021, and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) trials under the Telangana government’s ‘Medicine from the Sky’ initiative.
Initially, Blue Dart will focus on the burgeoning e-commerce sector, offering same-day delivery services to expedite shipment times while minimizing environmental impact. The implementation of drone technology is expected to revolutionize last-mile delivery, especially in urban areas plagued by traffic congestion.
Balfour Manuel, Managing Director of Blue Dart, commented on the initiative, stating, “The logistics sector in India is experiencing an exhilarating phase. The nation’s robust economic growth, coupled with the aspirations of its consumers and growth in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities, has significantly boosted purchasing power. This surge in demand emphasizes the need for innovative solutions that drive growth while ensuring efficiency and sustainability. As we witness the marvel of drone technology, we eagerly anticipate extending this service further, with plans to cover additional pin codes in subsequent stages with our partners.”
#WATCH | Haryana: Drones being used to deliver grocery items and healthcare supplies in Gurugram. pic.twitter.com/pIx4cX7WPP
— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2024
While the announcement did not specify the exact locations where drone deliveries would be available or the package sizes and weights applicable to this new service, it underscores Blue Dart’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies for improved logistics.
This development comes a day after Skye Air CEO Ankit Kumar announced the launch of drone deliveries in Gurugram. Kumar emphasized the transformative impact of drones on urban logistics, highlighting their ability to bypass traffic congestion and reduce environmental footprint.
“We started with two drones and now our company has 30 drones. If you compare it with traditional methods, drones have countless advantages, especially in busy urban areas like Gurugram,” said Skye Air’s Kumar. “First of all, drone delivery provides fast and efficient services as it is able to easily bypass traffic. This not only reduces delivery time but also eliminates traffic congestion and carbon emissions, promoting a sustainable and environmentally friendly logistics solution,” Kumar added.