I’ll admit, it’s cool to be able to write about tech news in your own backyard from time to time. In this case, the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) and Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) have announced a partnership that is assisted by Air Canada to bring drone-based cargo delivery service to the region. Not only that, but it is expected to be the “world’s first regularly scheduled drone delivery service from an airport.”
The EIA and DDC are planning on making the EIA into a hub for drone deliveries servicing western and northern Canada. DDC’s Sparrow cargo drone has a capacity of up to 10lbs. Initial test routes will be contained within EIA airspace. Commercial drone deliveries are anticipated to begin in early 2020.
“EIA is proud to partner with industry leader DDC to establish Canada’s first airport drone delivery site and drastically modernize cargo logistics and supply chain solutions. Together with our long-standing partnership with Air Canada, we look forward to expanding DDC’s network of customers at EIA’s Airport City, the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, and other strategic partners. DDC’s DroneSpot at EIA elevates intermodal connectivity to support the growing E-Commerce, Pharmaceuticals, Courier and Oil & Gas sectors. Thanks to our partners like Nav Canada and Transport Canada, our airport is leading in embracing innovation”
Myron Keehn, EIA VP of Air Service and Commercial Development
While the commercial drone delivery program is being set up at EIA, and in compliance with Canadian Aviation Regulations and Transport Canada flight authorizations, the drones will be remotely operated by DDC at their commercial operations centre in Vaughn, Ontario.
What do you think about this partnership between EAI and DCC? Do you think we’ll be seeing similar programs roll out at other airports worldwide? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter, Facebook, or MeWe.
[button link=”https://flyeia.com/corporate/media/news/eia-pioneering-drone-cargo-delivery/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: EIA[/button]Last Updated on February 3, 2021.
