ANA also finds drone partner from abroad
After Japan Airlines announced plans to partner with the urban drone logistics provider Matternet, ANA Holdings, the parent of Japan's biggest airline All Nippon Airways, is collaborating with German drone manufacturer and service provider Wingcopter to accelerate the delivery of pharmaceuticals and other consumer products via unmanned aircraft. The two aviation innovators aim to build an electrical fixed-wing VTOL aircraft delivery network capable of serving needs across the country.
A first phase of tests took place between 21 and 26 March, with the supervised flight of a Wingcopter drone between Fukuejima and Hisakajima in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture. The flights demonstrated the viability of drone delivery for medical supplies, reducing patients' waiting times in this remote region of Japan. (ah)