- Orkney Becomes First in UK for Drone Mail Delivery
- Royal Mail and Skyports Launch Orkney I-Port Operation
- Drone Service to Improve Delivery Times in Remote Island Communities
Orkney is the first place in the United Kingdom to have mail delivered by drone.
Royal Mail and Skyports have launched the Orkney I-Port operation to distribute correspondence and packages between the islands.
Royal Mail’s Kirkwall delivery office will convey mail to Stromness in conjunction with the council’s harbor authority and Loganair.
Thereafter, drones will transport packages to Graemsay and Hoy, where postal workers will complete delivery routes.
The service might be maintained under current regulations because of Orkney’s distinctive geography and the islands’ proximity.
The drone delivery service is anticipated to substantially improve service levels and delivery times to Graemsay and Hoy. Where inclement weather and terrain can disrupt delivery services.
The use of electric drones for inter-island delivery will also result in significant safety improvements, as postal employees will be able to safely deliver between ports.
The inter-island flights will be operated by Skyports using the Speedbird Aero DLV-2 aircraft. The multirotor drone can transport payloads of up to 6 kilograms (1st).
The Connected Places Catapult implemented the Department of Transport’s Freight Innovation Fund-funded project.
Royal Mail’s director of drone trials, Chris Paxton, stated, “We are pleased to partner with Skyports to deliver via drone to some of the UK’s most remote communities.
“Using a fully electric drone supports Royal Mail’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions from our operations, while also connecting the island communities we serve.”
Alex Brown, the director of Skyports Drone Services, stated, “By leveraging drone technology, we are also revolutionizing mail services in remote communities, providing more efficient and punctual delivery, and reducing the need for vehicles that produce greenhouse gas emissions.
We are thrilled to join with Royal Mail again to illustrate how drone operations may improve UK logistics.
