Royal Mail Drone Delivery Speedbird Aero

Skyports Drone Services and Speedbird Aero Partner for Royal Mail Drone Delivery Project

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

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Skyports Drone Services has announced Brazilian drone manufacturer Speedbird Aero as a new aircraft partner for the Orkney I-Port drone delivery project. Established in partnership with Royal Mail, Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority and Loganair, the project seeks to provide an uninterrupted delivery service that is able to handle Orkney’s extreme weather and geography. The latest aircraft partner chosen to join Skyports Drone Services’ drone fleet, Speedbird Aero will provide its DLV-2 aircraft for Skyports Drone Services’ global delivery and logistics projects, beginning with three months of inter-island delivery flights for Royal Mail for the Orkney I-Port project.

The electric multirotor DLV-2 drone, with a max range of up to 16km, was chosen for the Orkney I-Port project due to its large payload capacity of 6kg and its ability to fly in harsh weather conditions. Initial deliveries took place this past July, and will continue until October. The DLV-2 is the latest aircraft to be onboarded by Skyports Drone Services, following the Pyka Pelican Cargo earlier in the year. Skyports Drone Services has been growing its aircraft fleet to meet increasing market demand and to better serve its customers.

“Our approach to fleet development is to onboard a select number of vehicle providers that can match market growth, scale with us and meet the requirements of the locations in which we operate,” said Skyports Drone Services Director Alex Brown. “Speedbird is an example of the type of manufacturer we love to work with; the company’s commitment to quality, safety and innovation make it best-in-class and an excellent addition to our fleet. The Orkney I-Port project, with its renowned project partners and objective of improving community access with drones, is a great place to kick off the partnership.”

“Our partnership with Skyports Drone Services is a source of immense pride for Speedbird Aero,” said Speedbird Aero CEO Manoel Coelho. “Together, we will bring unrivalled efficiency to every drone logistics project we undertake, unlocking new possibilities for businesses and communities alike. Our focus on sustainability and innovation will pave the way for a greener and more connected future.”

Orkney I-Port flights will be carried out under existing regulatory frameworks, allowing for an extension beyond the initial three month period as a result of the proximity of the take-off and landing locations, as well as the ability for flights to be conducted through extended visual line of sight (EVLOS). The DLV-2 will also be deployed on logistics and delivery projects throughout Skyports Drone Services markets.

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Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.