SKYDROP, a us startup previously known as Flirtey, has been granted permission by New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority to operate a drone delivery hub in Huntly, a small town south of Auckland, reports Bloomberg News.
This regulatory approval enables SkyDrop to fly drones over people and beyond the view of their operators, a significant milestone that could potentially open up the skies over the EU, Australia, and Canada to broader commercial use of unmanned aircraft.
The approval marks a crucial step forward for drone delivery, potentially elevating it from an experimental phase to a profitable business venture.
'This is a major milestone for the industry and could make New Zealand the drone delivery capital of the world,' said SkyDrop co-founder Matt Sweeny.
The drone can deliver packages weighing up to eight pounds (3.6 kg) up to three miles (5 km) away and is equipped with an automatic parachute to minimize injuries in the event of a crash.
The company has already delivered Covid-crisis tests, Domino's pizzas, and 7-Eleven packages in the US and expects to serve restaurants, auto parts stores, and pharmacies in New Zealand.
The success of SkyDrop in New Zealand could pave the way for expanded commercial use of unmanned aircraft in the EU, Australia, and Canada.
SeaNews Turkey
This regulatory approval enables SkyDrop to fly drones over people and beyond the view of their operators, a significant milestone that could potentially open up the skies over the EU, Australia, and Canada to broader commercial use of unmanned aircraft.
The approval marks a crucial step forward for drone delivery, potentially elevating it from an experimental phase to a profitable business venture.
'This is a major milestone for the industry and could make New Zealand the drone delivery capital of the world,' said SkyDrop co-founder Matt Sweeny.
The drone can deliver packages weighing up to eight pounds (3.6 kg) up to three miles (5 km) away and is equipped with an automatic parachute to minimize injuries in the event of a crash.
The company has already delivered Covid-crisis tests, Domino's pizzas, and 7-Eleven packages in the US and expects to serve restaurants, auto parts stores, and pharmacies in New Zealand.
The success of SkyDrop in New Zealand could pave the way for expanded commercial use of unmanned aircraft in the EU, Australia, and Canada.
SeaNews Turkey
