Blue Dart, a courier and parcel service, has launched drone deliveries through a partnership with Skye Air, a drone technology company. This strategic move is part of Blue Dart's broader vision to enhance its logistics capabilities and represents a significant step forward towards more sustainable and efficient delivery solutions, the logistics company said in a stock exchange announcement.

The initial focus of this initiative is to serve the rapidly growing e-commerce sector. The aim is to transform last-mile delivery by offering same-day delivery options, thereby significantly reducing delivery times and environmental impact.

The use of drone technology builds on the company's previous tests, including Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) tests in Vikarabad, Hyderabad, in September 2021 and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) tests under the Telangana government's 'Medicine from the Sky' initiative.

While the announcement did not provide specific details on the regions covered, permissible package sizes and weight limits for drone deliveries, this development closely follows Skye Air CEO Ankit Kumar's recent announcement to introduce drone deliveries in Gurugram. Kumar highlighted the potential of drones to efficiently navigate urban landscapes, avoid traffic congestion and help protect the environment. He highlighted the revolutionary impact of drones on urban logistics as they provide fast, eco-friendly and precise delivery solutions.

Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, said, “The logistics sector in India is going through an exciting phase. The country's robust economic growth, coupled with consumer expectations and growth in Tier 2 and 3 cities, has significantly increased purchasing power. This surge in demand underscores the need for innovative solutions that drive growth while ensuring efficiency and sustainability. As we witness the wonder of drone technology, we look forward to expanding this service further and plan to cover additional postcodes with our partners in later phases.”

Kumar of Skye Air said, “We started with two drones and now our company has 30 drones. Compared to traditional methods, drones have innumerable advantages, especially in busy urban areas like Gurugram. Firstly, drone delivery offers fast and efficient services as it can easily bypass traffic.

“This not only shortens delivery time but also prevents traffic congestion and CO2 emissions and promotes a sustainable and environmentally friendly logistics solution,” adds Kumar.