Drone Deliveries Begin in Bengaluru, Three Years After Initial Plans

Bengaluru: Bengaluru has started commercial drone deliveries, three years after hospitals in the city first announced plans to use drones for medicine and sample transport.

Skye Air, a Delhi-based drone delivery company, launched operations in select areas, including Konankunte and Kanakapura Road.

Drone Service Expands to Bengaluru

Skye Air CEO Ankit Kumar confirmed that deliveries are now operational, allowing residents to receive packages in about seven minutes. The company has secured airspace approval for drone flights up to 120 meters in designated corridors.

However, it must coordinate with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) due to its proximity to the delivery zones.

Gurugram was the first Indian city to introduce commercial drone deliveries, with a service that started in Sector 92. Over the past year, Skye Air has completed one million deliveries there, prompting its expansion to Bengaluru.

How the System Works

Skye Air operates its drones through a proprietary traffic management platform, Skye UTM, introduced in 2023. Unlike traditional air traffic management systems that rely on controllers, this platform autonomously manages drone flights. The drones navigate an “invisible air corridor” at 120 meters and use a winch system to lower packages at drop zones.

The company’s flagship drone, Skye Ship One, can carry up to 10 kg per trip. Each drone delivery reportedly reduces carbon emissions by 520 grams compared to road transport.

Skye Air’s key clients include logistics firms like Bluedart, DTDC, Shiprocket, and Ecom Express. The company initially focused on essential deliveries in Himachal Pradesh and now plans to expand into food delivery.