SpiceJet to introduce drone delivery service for vaccine, essential goods delivery

The private carrier has inked deals with Throttle Aerospace and Aeologic for more than 50 high-end customised drones and drone software management, respectively.

In a statement, SpiceJet said it plans to introduce customised drones of different payloads, including 0-5 kg, 5-10 kg and 10-25 kg, which have the potential to change the supply chain capabilities of India.

The airline said it first plans to target mid-mile drone deliveries and expand to last-mile deliveries in future.

“SpiceXpress (the airline's logistics arm) will focus on delivering vaccines, life-saving drugs and essential goods among others to the remotest and farthest corners of the country which is otherwise difficult to reach by the traditional means of transportations,” it mentioned.

Initially, it plans to reach 10 districts with over 150 locations with an aim to achieve over 25,000 deliveries per month, it noted.

Last year, a SpiceXpress-led consortium had submitted a proposal to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for conducting experimental Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations in response to a DGCA notice inviting Expression of Interest.

Based on the recommendations of the BVLOS Experiment Assessment and Monitoring Committee, SpiceXpress was granted formal permission by the regulator for conducting experimental BVLOS drone trials in May 2020.

“Throttle Aerospace has successfully completed 100 hours of testing based on the recommendations of the BVLOS Experiment Assessment and Monitoring Committee,” the airline said.