Skyports and partners launch Kenya’s first BVLOS drone deliveries

Image courtesy Skyports

These flights represent a major step for drone logistics in Kenya and are the key first step in the partnership’s plans to launch permanent drone deliveries by Q1 2023.

The partnership will provide last-mile drone operations for the health sector to transport critical medical cargo, including samples, vaccines and medicines, to healthcare facilities across hard to reach regions of Kenya.

The project will be led by Astral Aerial Solutions, an experienced provider of drone services in Kenya for agricultural, mapping and survey purposes, and the first drone operator to be awarded BVLOS flight certification by the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

Astral Aerial Solutions will operate Swoop Aero’s integrated drone logistics platform and work closely in partnership with both Swoop Aero and Skyports, experienced drone service providers with ongoing commercial BVLOS drone operations across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The partners have deep operational and regulatory expertise having received BVLOS regulatory approvals across 12 countries globally.

The partnership launched initial flights in May 2022, with the completion of over 50 test flights. Permanent drone delivery operations are set to begin by Q1 2023.  

Kush Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aerial Solutions, said: “We’re proud to be leading the way for BVLOS drone deliveries in Kenya. Every day, we demonstrate the cost and time benefits generated by drone flight through our existing VLOS operations. With the launch of BVLOS drone delivery operations, we will also demonstrate the tangible human benefits. Working with Swoop Aero and Skyports, we’ve gained invaluable insight from leaders in the BVLOS drone delivery industry. We are eager to get started with full time operations by Q1 2023.”

Alex Brown, Head of Drone Services at Skyports, said: “Having launched the UK’s first BVLOS drone delivery operations, we are very aware of the challenges and requirements of such projects. We also know the massive benefit that drone deliveries can bring to rural communities. We have created an incredible partnership with Astral – the leaders in Kenyan drone operations and Swoop Aero – our long time technology partners – to bring safe, efficient and cost-effective drone deliveries to rural Kenya.”

Eric Peck, CEO & Co-founder of Swoop Aero, said: “We’re proud to be expanding operations in Kenya in partnership with Astral Aerial Solutions and Skyports, in what will be a first for the region. Swoop Aero’s integrated drone logistics platform will enable bi-directional air logistics, launching rapid delivery of emergency and routine medicines, vaccines and pathology samples, creating emotional and economic impact to communities in the networks.”

While initial operations will focus on the provision of last-mile drone deliveries for Kenya’s healthcare sector, the project is set to pave the way for last-mile and supplementary transportation services across the breadth of industry.