Drone deliveries for Royal Mail
In Q2/2023, Skyports Drone Services will launch the Orkney I-Port operation, a fully electric drone logistics project created in partnership with Royal Mail, Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority and Loganair.
The project will deliver two new capabilities: daily inter-port delivery of Royal Mail items and the demonstration of shore-to-ship deliveries. Skyports Drone Services will establish a daily inter-island mail distribution service, initially operating between three locations across Orkney for three months, with the intent to extend.
Post will be delivered by ground transportation from Kirkwall to a Stromness hub and transported by drone to Royal Mail sites on Graemsay and the North of Hoy, from where postal workers will carry out their usual island delivery routes.
The new service will provide considerable benefits including time, cost and emission savings and improved connectivity for island residents. The I-Port project is funded by the department for transport. (ben)