The 3 organisations will use the drones to carry parcels and documents to specified Emirates Post sites across Abu Dhabi.
Beginning with short journeys, the programme will expand to long-range tests with an increased capacity to assess demand and understand the benefits.
Providing a sustainable, user-friendly service to carry vital medical supplies, fresh food, and documents, while providing real-time tracking is the objective.
Pending approval, the plan is to launch a full commercial service in the next year.
Maqta Gateway, the digital arm of AD Ports Group, will use its digital marketplace, Margo Hub, to facilitate online transactions between customers and Emirates Post Group, which will manage the service and provide tracking and status updates. SkyGo will provide the drones.
Dr Noura Al Dhaheri, CEO – Digital Cluster and CEO – Maqta Gateways, says, “We actively seek out projects that can positively disrupt and transform global trade, and this new collaboration offers a vital opportunity to do just that. Drone services could enable greater convenience and faster delivery times for customers across Abu Dhabi, while ensuring a positive environmental impact.”
Abdulla Mohammed Alashram, Group CEO of Emirates Post Group, adds, “This explorative drone project represents an efficient and environmentally responsible solution for the delivery of small to medium sized packages, in line with the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) sustainable development objectives. By supporting this project, we are confident that we can alleviate road congestion and reduce fuel consumption in last-mile deliveries.”