SpiceJet plans to introduce SpiceXpress drone delivery service for delivering medical and essential supplies in remote areas.
The airline, which had received formal approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to conduct drone trials in May 2020, wants to expand its logistics platform by building a seamless supply chain.
The budget airline plans to introduce customised drones of different payloads including 0-5 kg, 5-10 kg and 10-25 kg and initially wants to target mid mile drone deliveries while preparing for last mile deliveries in future.
Its freighter arm, SpiceXpress, will focus on delivering vaccines, life-saving drugs and essential goods among others to remote areas.
The airline has partnered with Throttle Aerospace for more than 50 customised high-end drones while Aeologic will provide the drone software management.
“The airline’s initial outreach plan for its drone business encompasses 10 districts with over 150 locations with an aim to achieve over 25,000 deliveries per month. SpiceJet will also set up dedicated drone ports at strategic locations across the country,” the airline said in a statement.
SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh said the airline
“continues to innovate and experiment with new technologies and we hope to introduce our drone delivery services soon. By inducting drones in the supply chain, SpiceJet’s logistics arm, SpiceXpress, will take a technological leap.… With drones entering the logistics business, our fast emerging and growing e-commerce industry will be able to access the remotest corners of the country.”