DTDC launches drone delivery services in partnership with Skye Air

DTDC Express, a major express logistics firm in India, in collaboration with Skye Air Mobility is introducing drone-based deliveries to enhance the efficiency and eco-friendliness of last-mile delivery solutions.

The first drone delivery happened from Bilaspur (Haryana) to Gurgaon (Haryana) sector 92, covering a distance of 7.5 km in just 3-4 mins instead of a usual road route of 15 minutes, according to an official release by DTDC Express.

“Building upon its vast physical network of 16,000+ channel partners covering nearly 96 percent of the Indian population, DTDC aims to further optimise the management of approximately 155 million parcels annually.”

Abhishek Chakraborty, Chief Executive Officer, DTDC Express says: “As we commence the 35th year of DTDC’s journey, our strategic partnership with Skye Air marks a significant milestone in setting new benchmarks for last-mile delivery. The partnership aims to address the evolving logistics landscape, driven by digitalisation and changing consumer behaviours, presenting us with an opportunity to redefine last-mile logistics in this country.

“At DTDC, we embrace the transformative journey, and our technological advancements must align seamlessly with societal and environmental needs. We aim to leverage our leadership position to enhance our digital capabilities and drive exponential growth across express parcels, international, and integrated e-commerce logistics.”

After a successful launch in Gurgaon, DTDC plans to extend its drone delivery service to other major locations across India. The next phase will involve identifying strategic regions where drone deliveries can have the greatest impact, mentions the official release.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with DTDC on its 35th Foundation Day, leveraging our advanced drone delivery infrastructure to redefine last-mile deliveries in urban areas. By integrating drones into the delivery network, we can bypass traffic congestion, enhancing delivery speed, efficiency, and sustainability. Each drone delivery can save over 520 grams of CO2 emissions compared to traditional methods. Our goal is to reduce the distance and time for last-mile deliveries, significantly impacting the logistics infrastructure. Bharat is poised to lead the drone delivery and aerial taxi industry on a global scale, with countries worldwide likely to adopt the innovative models being developed here. From drone manufacturers to service providers and R&D institutions, there is a concerted effort to establish Bharat as the global drone hub by 2030,” says Ankit Kumar, Founder & CEO, Skye Air.