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Royal Mail has announced plans to use over 500 drones to deliver items of post in the UK – and where it intends to use them first. The company said it is aiming to use up to 200 drones over the next three years, increasing to more than 500, serving all corners of the country.
Four drone trials have been conducted by the postal carrier over the last 18 months, including flights on the Isle of Mull in Scotland, the Isles of Scilly off the Cornish coast and between Kirkwall and North Ronaldsay on the Orkney Islands. Test flights for the new service have been held between Tingwall Airport in Lerwick and Unst – a 50-mile flight each way.
Drones used in the trial can carry up to 100kg of mail for two daily return flights between the islands, with letters and parcels then delivered by the local postman or woman. Royal Mail wants to create 50 new “postal drone routes” over the next three years, providing “faster and more convenient services for remote communities” under a partnership with logistics drone company Windracers, subject to Civil Aviation Authority approval.
The firm currently uses ferries, conventional aircraft and land-based delivery which can be affected by bad weather. Drones – uncrewed aerial vehicles – will also help further reduce Royal Mail’s carbon emissions and improve the reliability of island mail services.
The first routes for the new service include the Isles of Scilly, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands and the Hebrides. Simon Thompson, chief executive of Royal Mail, said: “On-time delivery regardless of our customers’ location or the weather, whilst protecting our environment, is our goal.
“Even though we go everywhere, Royal Mail already has the lowest CO2 emissions per parcel delivered. This initiative will help reduce our emissions even further.”
Stephen Wright, chairman of the Windracers Group, said: “The middle mile of supply and logistics, especially to remote locations, has long been overlooked by the industry and is ripe for innovation. We’ve spent the last five years focused on developing the most commercially viable essential logistics drones so we’re truly delighted to be working with Royal Mail on this ambitious and pioneering deployment of autonomous aircraft.”
